Mary Ann Hanes

Mary Ann Hanes passed away Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the age of 73 from complications of diabetes, a terrible disease that she endured with grace and good humor for over 40 years. She was born in Penn Yan, NY to the late Gordon and Clara Willson and was an Ellet High School graduate, where she met her husband Ernie.

Mary Ann worked as a librarian at Central Hower and then Hatton Elementary, a place she truly loved. She was also an advocate for music in the schools. She always said her finest moment was leading a march of all Akron High School marching bands, megaphone in hand, to the Board of Education in protest of proposed elimination of Elementary Music in Akron schools.

She was past president of the PTA at Windemere, Hyre, Ellet and the Akron Council of PTA’s. She enjoyed crafting with her craft-club buddies and creating and sending hand-made greeting cards to family, friends and shut-ins. She also loved to travel, especially to Disney World and visited 49 of the 50 states.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Edward Willson. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ernie; sons, Steven and Nathan; granddaughters, Ava and Naomi; sister-in-law, Laura Willson; cousins, Carol (Joe), Bev, Bob and Jan; nieces, Angie (Mike) and their children, Amanda and Derek, and Sandy and her daughter, Morgan; and dear friends Leesa, Diane and Rick, Billie Jean, Nancy and Rue.

A private family gathering will be held with a memorial service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Wedgewood United Methodist Church, 2350 Wedgewood Dr., Akron, OH 44312.

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