Mary Ann Parson, 99, of 536 Charles Street, Saint Marys, passed away Friday, March 22, 2019, at Elk Haven Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born November 29, 1919, in Saint Marys, daughter of the late Paul and Frances Denslinger Smith. She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Saint Marys Area High School, Class of 1936. She worked at the former Smith Brothers Department Store before she married.
She married the love of her life, William Parson, in Saint Marys on November 25, 1943. He preceded her in death on March 28, 1965. After his death, she devoted her time to her family.
Mary Ann was the dedicated mother of five surviving daughters: Jane (John) Thorwart of Saint Marys, Mary Sue (Steve) Stanisch of Saint Marys, Sallie (Dave) Horchen of Saint Marys, Lori (Gib) Higgins of Kersey, and Cindy (Kent) Mowrey of Lewis Center, OH. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Jill (Rick) Fox, Julie Thorwart, Jody (Brian) McHail, Jacob (Melinda) Stanisch, Lindsay Stanisch, Kyle Horchen, Jaclyn Horchen, Eric Higgins, Carly Higgins, Alex Mowrey, and Sarah Mowrey; four great-grandchildren: Jordyn Fox, Tanner Fox, Jack McHail, and Ainsley McHail – all who loved their “Bam”; and by many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and her husband, Mary Ann was preceded in death by three brothers: Arnold, Francis, and Charles Smith; and two sisters: Dorothy Krug and Armella Le Grys. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Zachary Higgins. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a member of Saint Marys Church, always devoted to her faith. She volunteered as a bookkeeper for the Hospital Resale Shop; delivered food with the Meals on Wheels program; and was a 50 year member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a Pittsburgh Pirate fan. She loved to plant flowers in her garden and watched the birds from her dining room window. Mary Ann’s greatest treasure was her family to whom she instilled her loving ways and compassion for helping others.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 10:00AM at Saint Mary’s Church with Rev. Peter Augustine Pierjok, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 6-8PM.
Memorials, if desired, can be made to the Elk Haven Activity Fund, 785 Johnsonburg Road, Saint Marys, PA 15857; Saint Marys Church, 325 Church Street, Saint Marys, PA 15857; or the Community Nurses Memorial Fund, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Saint Marys, PA 15857. Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.