Obituary for Mary Ann (Gorman) Funke
Mary Ann (Gorman) Funke (81), of Williston, Vermont, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2023, surrounded by her beloved husband, Mike, and their four children, Jane, Laura, Amy, and John.
Mary Ann, an accomplished pianist, ice skater, and horsewoman, was born on July 3, 1941 in Evansville, Indiana. She was the oldest of five children, all daughters, of Bill and Mary Jane Gorman.
Mary Ann and Mike were childhood sweethearts, having met at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Elementary Education, and worked as a teacher. Mary Ann and Mike were married in 1962 and raised their family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts. They subsequently lived in South Carolina and Illinois, eventually retiring in Vermont.
Mary Ann loved quilting, gardening, dogs, old movies (especially Hollywood musicals), BBC Proms, and sharing music with family. She enjoyed traveling with Mike to Europe, South America, and Hawaii. Mary Ann made friends everywhere she went, and always made a place for travelers and foreign exchange students in her home and at her table.
Mary Ann’s greatest joys were being a mother, and having a baby in her arms. In fact, she initiated a family tradition of welcoming new babies with handmade quilts for grandchildren and extended family.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Michael Funke, children Jane Holland and her husband Marc, Laura Miller and her husband Dennis, Amy Juodawlkis and her husband Paul, and John Funke and his wife Frances England, and her grandchildren Liam Funke, James Juodawlkis, Kai Holland, Rowan Funke, Rory Miller, and Jia Holland. She is also survived by her sisters Marty Rugh, Sally Riggs, Susie McQuiston, and Liza Waller (and spouses), sister-in-law Nancy Merkley, and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MomsDemandAction.org in the name of Mary Ann Funke. Mary Ann’s family will hold a private memorial celebration at a later date but invite all to share memories and condolences now by visiting www.awrfh.com.
Mary Ann, an accomplished pianist, ice skater, and horsewoman, was born on July 3, 1941 in Evansville, Indiana. She was the oldest of five children, all daughters, of Bill and Mary Jane Gorman.
Mary Ann and Mike were childhood sweethearts, having met at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Elementary Education, and worked as a teacher. Mary Ann and Mike were married in 1962 and raised their family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts. They subsequently lived in South Carolina and Illinois, eventually retiring in Vermont.
Mary Ann loved quilting, gardening, dogs, old movies (especially Hollywood musicals), BBC Proms, and sharing music with family. She enjoyed traveling with Mike to Europe, South America, and Hawaii. Mary Ann made friends everywhere she went, and always made a place for travelers and foreign exchange students in her home and at her table.
Mary Ann’s greatest joys were being a mother, and having a baby in her arms. In fact, she initiated a family tradition of welcoming new babies with handmade quilts for grandchildren and extended family.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Michael Funke, children Jane Holland and her husband Marc, Laura Miller and her husband Dennis, Amy Juodawlkis and her husband Paul, and John Funke and his wife Frances England, and her grandchildren Liam Funke, James Juodawlkis, Kai Holland, Rowan Funke, Rory Miller, and Jia Holland. She is also survived by her sisters Marty Rugh, Sally Riggs, Susie McQuiston, and Liza Waller (and spouses), sister-in-law Nancy Merkley, and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MomsDemandAction.org in the name of Mary Ann Funke. Mary Ann’s family will hold a private memorial celebration at a later date but invite all to share memories and condolences now by visiting www.awrfh.com.