Mariann Therese Pierson, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Mariann was born October 2, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio; the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose Kralovic.

In 1958, Mariann graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She met the charming Air Force pilot, Lloyd Pierson, on a blind date at a nursing school social. They were married on June 13, 1959, at St. Benedict's Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The couple moved to Delaware and completed their family of six children.

Mariann was active in her parish community of St. Polycarp's Catholic Church.

She was a devoted mother, attending all of her children's sports and activities.  She worked as a nurse at the Delaware Home and Hospital for the Chronically Ill while raising her six children.

Mariann enjoyed playing tennis and participated in neighborhood tennis tournaments. She enjoyed playing the slots and taking in a show in Atlantic City with her friends. Mariann's biggest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mariann is preceded in death by her first daughter, Linda, her husband, Lloyd, her brother, Joe Kralovic, and her nephew, Michael Kralovic.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jeanne (David) Morris, Nancy (Jeff) Thornburg, Laura Caldwell, Danny (Gwen) Pierson, Karen (Frank) Czerwinski, Diane (Mike) Flood; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Josh) Hartnett, Cara (Matt) Boyles, Eric Morris, Andrew Caldwell, Brandon (Brittany) Pierson, Ethan Caldwell, Owen Flood, Grant Czerwinski, Ryan Thornburg, Marianna Flood, Spencer Czerwinski, Cailey Thornburg, Aidan Flood, Jake Caldwell, Sophie Czerwinski; and great-grandchildren, Shelby Hartnett, Cullen Boyles, Finn Boyles and Jace Hartnett.

Mariann will be remembered for her grace, kindness, patience and quiet strength. Everyone was welcome at her house on Lake Drive West in Smyrna.

A visitation will be held 10:30 AM Saturday February 22 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, with services at 11:30 AM. Burial will be privately held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

https://www.stjude.org/

To sign the online guestbook, please click the tab marked "Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.