Mary Ann Brown

Mary Ann Brown peacefully departed this earth on February 8, 2022, in Centennial, Colorado.  Mary Ann Honley was born on May 16, 1945, in Harrisonville, Missouri, to Mary Louise (Russell) Honley and Loran F. Honley.

Mary Ann attended Harrisonville Elementary and Harrisonville High School.  Mary Ann married the love of her life, Charles Brown, on August 4, 1962.  Together they raised two daughters, Angela and Kirsten.

A talented and mostly self-taught artist, Mary Ann worked in the arts department at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Central Missouri.  Mary Ann taught art in the Raymore-Peculiar school district, the Harrisonville school district, and the Lee’s Summit school district.

Her love of books and foresight into the growing importance of technology and information systems prompted Mary Ann to earn a Master of Science in Education in Library Science from UCM, and subsequently, a Master of Library Science from Emporia State University.  She served the Grandview school district as a school librarian, where she implemented several successful new programs, including writing a grant proposal to fund “Passports to Awareness”, a yearlong project she spearheaded to promote cultural awareness, technology, and what it means to live in a global society.  Mary Ann was awarded Martin City Elementary’s Teacher of the Year 1992-1993.

In 1995, Mary Ann and Charley decided to move to the suburban Chicago area to be near Angela and their grandchildren.  In addition to doting on her grandchildren, Mary Ann became the Head of Youth Services for the Cary Area Public Library in Cary, Illinois.  Mary Ann then went on to be named the Head of Children’s Services at the Des Plaines Public Library, where she applied for and received the Library Services and Technology Act grant, “Partners Promoting Reading Pleasure”.  In collaboration with a local elementary school, Mary Ann created programs and activities to promote literacy and public library services.  She wrote a detailed account of the program’s goals and achievements, which was published in the Summer 2000 issue of Illinois Libraries.  Becoming a published author was one of Mary Ann’s proudest accomplishments.

In 2001, Mary Ann and Charley again decided to move closer to their grandchildren, this time to Littleton, Colorado and Kirsten’s family.  Mary Ann became the Librarian and Media Specialist at Powell Middle School, where she taught until her retirement in 2010.

During their many years together, Mary Ann and Charley enjoyed traveling, hiking and biking, visiting museums and historical sites, wine tastings, and philanthropic service.  They were active in the communities of both Littleton and Grand Lake, Colorado.

Mary Ann enjoyed book clubs, gardening, shopping, and yoga and pilates.  Her grandchildren delighted in her undivided attention, genuine praise, and lavish individual shopping sprees. Mary Ann never stopped learning and creating art; she continued drawing, painting, jewelry making, and sewing throughout her life.  She was a true inspiration and an impactful influence to all those who knew her.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, Charles, her two daughters and their husbands, Angela Busila (Eric) and Kirsten Boten (James), her grandchildren Dana Ellis, Rachel Ellis (Nick Webster), Kyle Boten (Kelly), and Elizabeth Boten, her sister Lorna Anderson, her brother Russell Honley (Robin Gibbons), her nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at Holly Creek Retirement Community on Saturday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers or donations, read a book, create something you think is beautiful, listen to a young person, plant herbs or flowers, buy a work from a local artist, reach out to your loved ones, do something small but important.

Please share memories and condolences with Mary Ann's family by signing the Tribute Wall.