TRAVERSE CITY - Mary Ann Russell, age 82, of Traverse City, passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Munson Hospice House in the loving care of her family, after a courageous and hard fought battle with ALS. She was born in Saginaw, MI on August 5, 1936 to Allen Loehr and Ann Bender. Mary Ann married her high-school sweetheart, Dick Russell, who were united in marriage on October 27, 1956. Mary Ann had retired after 31 years of working in the legal office of Mr. Robert Day. Mary Ann and Dick spent many of their retirement years in Bellaire, MI followed by a move to Traverse City 12 years ago where she was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. For many years, Mary Ann was organist and church secretary for Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saginaw and served as the church secretary at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband, Dick, of 62 years; two children, Richard (Dawn) Russell and James "Jason" (Anne) Russell; 5 grandchildren Andrea (Mike) Miszak, Chris (Kaitlin) Russell, Brett Russell, Suzanne Russell, Chad Russell; and 4 great-grandchildren Amelia, Camden, Parker, Imogen as well as many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and step-father Otto Bender, 3 half-brothers Allen C. (Joann) Loehr, Allen B. (Betty) Loehr, and Spencer (Mary) Loehr.

Mary Ann enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family and especially looked forward to the visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she happily doted on. They were her greatest joy. She was an avid reader and loved creating beautiful quilts as well as knitting and crocheting many a sweater for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and grandpuppies. Besides being an active "retail enthusiast", she was well-known for baking the best brownies, pies, and cookies. Mary Ann will be remembered for her beautiful gracious smile, kind heartedness, and laughter. You will live forever in our hearts.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Munson Hospice House for their love, compassion and exceptional staff who comforted and cared for Mary Ann. Your kindness will never be forgotten! Thank you, also, to the servers at Big Boy for all of the smiles and laughter over the 12 years of strawberry waffle breakfasts.

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a rosary recitation beginning at 6:30 PM with Deacon Rene M. Hoenscheid. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with a visitation one hour prior. Father Greg McCallum will officiate. A luncheon will be held immediately following mass in the church fellowship hall. A committal service will be held at 2:30 PM immediately following the luncheon at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 or St. Patrick Food Pantry, 630 W. Silver Lake Road South, Traverse City, MI 49685.