Mary Ann Biggerstaff

Mary Ann Biggerstaff, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Friday (November 15th, 2013) surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Ann was born June 14, 1926 in Salina, Kansas to Art Wilson Sr. and Maxine Harrison Wilson who have preceded her in death. She was raised in Salina. Mary Ann married George Schwartz who passed away during WWII. She later married Thomas Harlan Smith June 14, 1947. They resided in Newton, Kansas until his passing in June 3, 1971. She later married Donald Biggerstaff of Newton, June 28, 1980. He survives at their home.

Mary Ann, the mother of 12 children, had the opportunity to serve as a teacher-aide in the Head Start Program and at the age of 40 received her GED, receiving high marks on the examinations. In 1967 she began working in Creative Arts at Prairie View and became a staff member in 1967 and worked with the WIN Program in the day Center in 1969. In July of 1969 she began in a new position half-time in the Day Center and halftime in Community Services. In order to do this job she needed to be able to drive, so at the age of 43 she learned to drive.

In October, 1969 she was one of 24 persons throughout the United States who were invited to Washington, DC to speak before President Nixon’s cabinet committee on voluntary action. She also served on the Kansas State Governor’s Commission on the status of women, serving on the poverty committee, and was a member of the Community Action Program and a member of the Harvey County Welfare Department Advisory Board. In 1970 Mary Ann was chosen Woman of the Year by the KANSAN in Civic and Community Service, and in April of 1972 she was appointed to the University of Kansas School of Social Work Advisory Council.

She was very active in her children’s lives as a PTA Chairman, a room mother and a Scout Leader. She always made sure that every child had a wonderful Birthday, baking special cakes for each one. Every year she would bake at least 50 dozen candy cane cookies at Christmas time so that each child could take cookies to school. She also donated her baking skills to the Girl Scout bake sale each year. She loved dancing teaching her children to dance and also loved growing plants with her green thumb. For many years Mary Ann dressed as “Boze Ann The Clown” in area parades and enjoyed being part of local events.

She was also proceeded in death by sister Betty Lee in California, two son’s Fredrick and Michael Smith of Newton, and infant daughter Sandra.

Along with her husband, Donald, Mary Ann is survived by two brothers Art Wilson Jr. of Kansas City, and Charles Wilson of Castle Rock, Colo. She is survived by daughters, Georgann Weeks of Wichita, Sherry (Terry) Mayhill of The Woodlands, Texas, Jerri Stucky (Tony Gooden) of Antonito, Colo., Barbara (Jimmy) Meetz of El Dorado, Kansas, Brenda (Roe) Hicks of Wichita, Ks., Jana (Roger) Morrison of Newton, Tammy (Denny) Wyse of Hesston. Sons, Ricky (Shirley) Smith of Wichita, Don (Helen) Smith of Newton, 24 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Monday (November 18, 2013) at 11 am at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church 1200 Boyd Newton Ks with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 1pm til 7pm where the family will receive friends between 2 and 4.

A memorial has been established with Hardin Hospice or the Salvation Army, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.