Mary Chaloupka, 81, of Beebe, Arkansas, passed away September 25, 2020.  She was born August 8, 1939 in Hradec Kralove Czechoslovakia to Frantisek and Marie Vozenilek (Kadeca).  Mary was a 1957 graduate of Minneapolis Central High School.  She became a Naturalized US Citizen in 1963.

At 9 years of age her parents fled Communist ruled Czechoslovakia with her older brother George.  Her family spent 3 years as refugees in Germany.  They immigrated to Canada in May of 1951 and later were allowed entry into the US. They lived in Minneapolis before moving to Cicero, Illinois just outside of Chicago where she completed her studies at J. Sterling Morton East High School.

In 1959 she married George Chaloupka, who she had originally met in Germany when they were just children.  Their son Peter James was born in 1960.  They divorced in 1969.

Mary worked at Morton Cab Company and the Old Prague restaurant in Cicero and Mangum’s Chateau in Lyons, Illinois before beginning a rewarding career in the care of the elderly in Cicero and surrounding suburbs.

Mary overcame many challenges throughout her life.  She had a real appreciation for hard work and accomplishment while living with Bipolar Disorder that at times was very extreme.  She had a very kind heart and often reached out to those that were less fortunate than her.

Her life will be forever cherished by her surviving family, son Peter Chaloupka and his wife Sharon, brother George Vozenilek and his wife Mary, nieces and nephews Tony Vozenilek (Sharon), George Vozenilek (Jeanene), and Joanna Nauman (Kirk).  Mary was especially fond of her niece Annie Vozenilek who preceded her in death.  She will also be missed by her church family at New Liberty Baptist in Beebe where she felt truly loved and appreciated.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m Sunday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.  Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2020 at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.

State of Arkansas COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required at all times, maintain social distancing.  Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home.  www.smithfamilycares.com