Mary Lou Prokopchak - Obituary

ary Louise “Mary Lou” Prokopchak, 78, of Harwood, MD, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday December 2, 2025. Born on August 4, 1947, in the coal-mining town of Windber, PA to the late Steve G. Beretsel (Berczel) and Mary Rakoczy Beretsel, Mary Lou was a proud coal miner’s daughter and carried that strength and resilience throughout her life. On October 26, 1968, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Michael Edward Prokopchak, in her hometown at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As they stepped out of the church that day, snow flurries drifted around them - a memory they cherished for the rest of their lives. They honeymooned in Cape Cod before settling in Greenbelt, MD and later made Harwood their permanent home in 1977. After graduating from Windber High School in 1965, Mary Lou moved to Maryland and began a 15-year career with the U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. She supported the Vice President’s security detail and later assisted in training new agents and White House guards at the USSS Training Center in Beltsville, MD. After her youngest son was born, she continued her professional life in part-time roles with Tilden Lawn Nursery and Marine Survey and Design Co. in Davidsonville, and later with the American Boat and Yacht Council in Annapolis. Mary Lou and Mike shared a lifelong love of boating. Beginning with their first 18-foot Deep-V in 1970, they trailered their boat and their boys all over the Chesapeake Bay and to the rivers and lakes of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. Their final vessel, a 46-foot Sedan Bridge, was kept at Selby Bay Yacht Club on the South River until they ended their boating adventures in 2018.A gifted gardener, Mary Lou found joy in planting flowers, trees, and shrubs, creating and nurturing the beautiful outdoor spaces that surrounded her home. She was always generous with her knowledge, offering advice and assistance to friends and neighbors on all things horticultural. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Steve E. Beretsel and her in-laws, Major Michael John (USAF, Ret.) and Edna Marie Prokopchak. Mary Lou is survived by her devoted husband, Mike; her three loving sons, Michael Christopher, Matthew Stephen, and Mark Francis (Theresa) Prokopchak who all live in the Annapolis area. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Christopher, Lily, and Garrett and her deceased brother’s wife, Pearl and their children, Christine, Nicole, Stephen, Michael and Patrick and their three grandchildren. Mary Lou was always there for her children, cheering them on and supporting them in all their sports and activities growing up. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mary Lou's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, December 9 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD on Wednesday, December 10 at 10:00 am. Mary Lou will be cremated, and her ashes will be placed in her husband Mike’s casket upon his passing, so they may rest together for eternity. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, youth religious programs or to a charity of one’s choice in Mary Lou’s name. Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.