Marie Frances Dvorak

Marie Frances Dvorak (maiden name Mayr) was a warm and beautiful person, a wonderful mother to her two children and will be missed by many. She passed away peacefully at Bassett Hospital with her beloved Martina and Hanysh by her side on July 15th, 2025.

She was born in Prague, Czech Republic on July 1, 1946. She fell in love with Radomir Jan Dvorak (predeceased) whom she met in a coffee shop in Mala Strana known as the lesser town and they married in 1966 in Prague. They were happily married for fifty seven years. In 1969 they emigrated to America to begin their life, full of possibilities together. Their first home was in White Plains, NY where they spent many years. Later in 1980 they bought a home in the mountains of Kortright, NY. She called Valley House her home for forty five years.

While growing up in Prague Marie studied as a pharmacist and worked in perfumery. She helped others to find their memorable fragrances. During the Prague Spring revolution in 1968 she left with her husband for Vienna and spent a year planning their trip to the USA. She arrived on June 2, 1969. A few years later Marie worked for The Reporter Dispatch and later at Vernon Graphics, a company specializing in graphic solutions for branding and marketing, particularly within the agricultural, construction, and industrial equipment industries. She drafted electric lines and loved her work.

Marie was full of many passions in life. She enjoyed most of all, old things and antiquing. Her biggest joys were finding treasures, cooking and being with her family and friends. She was a frequent visitor to all local auction houses in Delaware County and estate sales and made lifelong friends along the way. She opened her own antique store named “Iron and Lace", later called “Something Else” on RT23 in Harpersfield, NY. Her lace collection and knowledge of antiques, record players and silverware etc. was unrivaled.

At home, she cherished her potted flowers which adorned the yard and loved to watch the many species of birds which were lovingly afforded bird houses and feeders about the property. Her favorites were the hummingbirds outside on the porch.

Marie was a fabulous cook and could be often found with a good cookbook in hand. Everything was made from scratch and her recipes stretched back to her early days with her mother in Prague. She was a legend in what she could do with almost anything caught, hunted or left over. Flavor and taste, authentic real ingredients were paramount. Few things made her more happy than 10lbs of garden tomatoes for a bolognese with vermicelli, dishes with dried mushrooms reminding her of home or her famous goulash that the family and friends enjoyed so much.

Marie is survived by her daughter Martina Dvorak Grattan, son Hanysh Dvorak, son in law Patrick Grattan, granddaughter Annabel Grattan and her brother in Prague, Robert Mayr and his sons Robert and David Mayr.