Maryann Drost Bitzer

Mrs. Bitzer was born July 2, 1935 in Highland, Illinois to the late John and Mary Grizio Drost.

She was raised in Maryville, Illinois and met Donald Bitzer in 1950 while attending Collinsville High School. They married in 1955.

Maryann attended St. John’s school of nursing in St. Louis. After earning her BS and MS in education and educational psychology at the University of Illinois, she completed her RN at Mercy Hospital. She received an award for her research on computer based nursing instruction. Mrs. Bitzer was active with the U of I library and numerous social clubs in Champaign-Urbana.

In 1990, she and Don moved to Cary, North Carolina where she continued in book and investment clubs and became a supporter of the NC State library. Maryann loved to travel and visited every continent except Antarctica. She was an exceptional cook and hostess and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She helped teach them an appreciation for fishing and St Louis cardinal baseball.

Maryann was preceded in death by her brother Jon Drost and sister Judy Wiemann.

In addition to her husband Don; she is survived by her son, David (Christine) Bitzer, MD of Springfield Illinois; grandchildren, Grant (Cate) Bitzer of Chapel Hill, NC, Bryan (Ellen) Bitzer of Santa Monica, CA, Hannah Bitzer of St. Paul, MN; Sister-In-Law, Carol Lampe of Collinsville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at NC State University James B Hunt, Jr. Library, Duke Energy Hall D, 1070 Partners Way, Raleigh NC 27606. Dress is causal and light refreshments will be provided.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Library, NC State University Libraries, 2 Broughton Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695-7111.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Bitzer family.