Mary Ann Alexander

We are so sad to announce the passing of our beloved Mary Ann Alexander on September 20, 2024. Mary Ann was 90 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Edith Margwarth. She is survived by her husband, Don Alexander, her daughters, Debbie Crosby and Doni Smith, her four grandkids, Chris Crosby, Jon Crosby, Jessica Clark and Katie Crosby and her ten great grandchildren. She was adored by her entire family and will be greatly missed.

Mary Ann was born on March 22, 1934 to her loving parents Hank and Edith and was their precious only child. She grew up in Effingham, a small town in Illinois. Her dad was a printer and owned his own business and her mom worked at Western Union. Her childhood was an idyllic one where everyone knew their neighbors, helped them shovel their walks and shared their produce from their gardens. Catching fireflies in mason jars, swinging on the apple tree swing and having friends since elementary school were Mary Ann’s childhood. She grew up with three
dear lifelong friends who she still kept in touch with till the end. They were inseparable and all three were on their high school’s homecoming court and were on the high school’s float in the town parade.

Mary Ann met Don, her sweetheart of 70 years, when they were in high school.
Mary Ann worked at the bookstore and the soda shop at a place called the Rec. The minute that Don saw Mary at the Rec he was smitten by her and her beautiful blue eyes. He asked her on a date that day and thus began their beautiful love story.

Mary Ann and Don had two daughters, Doni and Debbie. Mary Ann was a loving and devoted mom to her girls and when both girls were in school, she decided to go back to college and she earned her Bachelor’s of Education at the University of Houston. She was an amazing elementary and middle school teacher and her students loved her. She taught at various schools in Texas and California.

Mary Ann was talented, dedicated, intelligent, a great friend and a light to everyone she met. Her talent for interior decorating and floral design was amazing and she shared her talent freely with others. She was a loving, tender mom who showed her devotion to her family. She was their most enthusiastic cheerleader, their biggest
fan and everyone adored her.

Her four grandchildren were lights in her life and she loved knowing everything about their lives and their many visits to her home were such a highlight for her. Ten great grandchildren later just multiplied her joy and all were with her and Don last December as they celebrated 70 years of marriage. What a beautiful example they have shown their family of love, adoration, commitment and devotion.

Mary Ann’s funeral will be held on October 7 th at Nelson Family Mortuary and will be for family only.