FAYETTEVILLE — Martha (Ann) Hetherington Prassel

passed away peacefully on December 29, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister who maintained, throughout her life, strong family ties. She is survived by her husband, Frank Richard Prassel, son Frank Hetherington Prassel, his wife Virginia Leigh Caruthers Prassel, grandchildren, Helen Ann Prassel, and Frank Caruthers Prassel, sisters Ethel H. Perina, Charlotte H. Hetherington and Jane H. Brown (Norman D. Brown) and many nieces and nephews.

Ann was born to Charles S. Hetherington and Helen B. Hetherington in Dallas, Texas on May 7, 1942. She attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas and received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She later attained Master’s Degrees in History, Library Science and Business Administration at institutions of higher education in Texas and Arkansas. At the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville she held the position of Head Reference Librarian and Federal Depository Librarian. Following her retirement from the University, she completed an MBA at the Sam Walton School of Business.

Ann had a lifelong interest in travel which led her to many interesting visits around the world as well as a year in Taiwan during her husband’s Fulbright Scholar sabbatical at Soochow University. She very much enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and in encouraging them to find and pursue interests that would last a lifetime. Her research skills and interest in history enabled her to compile a family history of her Texas forbearers which her family much appreciates.

Ann’s years as an undergraduate at Trinity University fostered long lasting connections and friendships which enriched her own life. She attributed her appreciation of people, events and shared values to not only her family but to the ties she made in her formative schooling. Ann was fortunate to have many lifelong and supportive friends. Her loss will be felt by family and friends alike.

A memorial service for the immediate family will be set at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those interested in supporting the family make a donation to a charity of their choice in honor of Ann.