Dr. Mary Jane Dykstra Havlicek's Obituary
Dr. Mary Jane Dykstra Havlicek, 79 departed this life peacefully on May 28, 2021, holding the hand of her beloved husband Dr. Stephen Charles Havlicek. Mary died of natural causes at home, surrounded by her family. Fittingly, there was a National Hockey League playoff game blaring in the background when she passed - the Minnesota Wild versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Greeting Mary at the pearly gates in most disobedient fashion will be a herd of affectionate but poorly disciplined animals - Gretzky, Robitaille, Zamboni and the rest of the motley crew.
We’re pretty sure Elvis ran to meet Mary singing and gyrating to “Hunk a Hunk of Burning Love” cuz, man, was she something else! Stephen met Mary on the first day of their freshman year (1959) in Chemistry class at Hope College in Holland, MI and “the chemistry was good!” Brilliant and feisty, Mary graduated Hope with an A.B. degree (1963), followed by an M.S., Chemistry from the Ohio State University (1965) and a Ph.D, Chemistry from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (1970). Pierce Brosnan, if Saint Peter gives you the seal of approval, Mary is ready to dance and sing “Mamma Mia!” with you.
Mary was born to Carl and Viola Dykstra in Muskegon, MI in 1941. She was the youngest of three children and was preceded in death by brother David Dykstra and is survived by brother Charles Dykstra. She is survived by her spouse of 59 years, Stephen Charles Havlicek of Pahoa HI, her 3 children: Lani Havlicek (Illya Quandt) of Reno NV, Malia Havlicek (Gordan Gjerapic) of Highlands Ranch CO and John Stephen Havlicek (Maricar Souza) of Pahoa HI and 5 grandsons.
An exceptional chemist, businesswoman and teacher, Dr. Mary Havlicek was the president and founder of Central Coast Analytical Services (CCAS), a chain of analytical environmental laboratories headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA. Under Mary’s direction, CCAS was recognized twice by Inc. 500 as one of the 500 fastest growing small businesses in the US. Dr. Havlicek was also employed for many years as a Senior Research Chemist for Air Liquide Electronics, US out of Dallas, TX. Dr. Mary taught chemistry at several colleges across the US. At Floyd County Community College in Georgia, she was the entire chemistry staff and her students placed higher in statewide chemistry proficiency testing than all other GA colleges and universities (including GA Tech) two years running. Dr. Mary Havlicek authored over 30 professional publications and held 4 US patents.
A memorial service for Mary Havlicek will be held Saturday June 26, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Kalapana Mauna Kea First Hawai’ian Congregational Church in Pahoa, HI. Wear bright clothes and share fond memories with Mary’s family and loved ones. Food will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the Havlicek family would like you to please consider a donation in Mary’s name to the Hawaii County Meals on Wheels Program: https://hmow.org/donate/
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