Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis deals with the death of his wife Mary Curtis

Rick Curtis, football coach at Crean Lutheran, pictured with his wife Mary Curtis. (Photos courtesy Curtis family)

Crean Lutheran High School football players and other people at the school and throughout the county are supporting head coach Rick Curtis following the death of his wife, Mary Virginia Curtis, on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Mary Curtis died after a five-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer, Coach Curtis said. She was 68. Mary Curtis attended many of Coach Curtis’ games over the years to support him and the players he coached and was always the first to give him a hug after the game.

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“On Wednesday morning at 3:24 a.m. my amazing and loving wife, Mary, entered into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven,” Coach Curtis said Monday. “The gates of heaven were open wide for Mary as she knew Jesus like no other and spread the word to everyone she met. Mary touched and inspired so many lives, some who have come forward in the last few days with stories that I didn’t even know about. I know that there will be countless others that will come forward to let me know how she inspired them or helped them.

“While I am completely heartbroken in losing the love of my life, I am comforted knowing that she is free of the pain and suffering that she had endured through her five-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer. Mary took on this cancer head on for me and for our family and friends, so that she could be with us.

“During this journey Mary had six rigorous chemotherapy treatment regimens, a stem cell transplant, a Car-T-cell transplant, and endless blood and platelet transfusions. Mary did it all with open arms and would have continued if there were more trials and treatments available to her, even if it meant having to endure the ugly side effects that went with it, stripping her of her quality of life. Mary is without a doubt the strongest person that I have ever known.

“She would light up a room and make everyone feel good about themselves while openly talking about her faith. I held onto her for as long as I could until it was time for her to go home, the day God wrote in his book had come on Wednesday, Oct.13.”  

Rick Curtis turned over the head coaching duties to offensive coordinator Russ Oka for the Saints game with Valencia last week. Curtis was at the game and Valencia officials had a moment of silence for Mary Curtis before the game.

“I put the headphones on, but really wasn’t coaching, just listening in and watching my staff at work,” Curtis said.

Valencia won the Empire League game 42-10.

Crean Lutheran hosts Pacifica Friday night at Irvine Stadium and a pre-game ceremony is planned to honor Mary Curtis.

“I will see if I am able to begin coaching in practice and then at the game on Friday night,” Curtis said.

Crean Lutheran players, along with players at Capistrano Valley, where Curtis’ son Sean is the head coach, wore decals which read ‘MC’ on the back of their helmets last week. In addition, coaches throughout the county showed their support for Coach Curtis on social media.

“We are so grateful for the love and prayers that have come our way during this journey and for the prayers that continue to come to me and our family,” Curtis said.

“Our Crean Lutheran family has been amazing in their prayers and support of me and our family. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many great people and an unbelievable coaching staff, staff, parents and administration.”

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Mary Curtis will be Saturday, Nov. 6 at noon at Crean Lutheran High School.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the family to help assist in covering Mary Curtis’ memorial service or one of her two favorite charities: Uganda 4 Life or Kids Across the World.

–Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com