Mary Ann Stephenson

Mary Ann Stephenson, passed away peacefully at her home on December 20, 2020. She was born on August 10, 1931, in Detroit Michigan. Her parents were Ferdinand and Dorothy (Balduc) Schmidt.  She married Edward Stephenson on March 5, 1950 in Royal Oak, MI. Mary Ann is survived by her children, Marguerite (Meg) Stephenson, Christine (Douglas) Dabkowski, Edward James (Janette) Stephenson, Suzanne Visel, Ann (Omar Juma) Juma-Stephenson; brother Robert Schmidt; grandchildren, Erin (Zachary) Lahrman, A.J. Visel, Thomas Dabkowski, Stephen Dabkowski, Jacob Stephenson, Zeid Juma, Layth Juma-Stephenson, Sami Juma-Stephenson; great grandchildren, Everleigh Lahrman and Lilyana Lahrman. She is preceded in death by her husband Edward Stephenson, and her parents Ferdinand and Dorothy Schmidt. 

Above everything else Maryann was a devoted mother to her children. Many summers you could find the family camping at Ludington State Park. Animals were a passion for Maryann, especially dogs. She founded Autumfire English Springer Spaniels in 1976. She bred and showed these lovely dogs well into 2008. Her final springers died in 2018 and she missed them dearly. For many years, she volunteered by teaching confirmation style dog training at the Ann Arbor Dog Training club on behalf of the Ann Arbor Kennel Club which she was an active member. She took the time and energy to help many people learn how to show their dogs. She also spent countless hours helping other dogs enthusiasts by offering guidance about pure breed dogs and breeding programs. She sold many springers into the surrounding community as beloved pets and into other breeding programs.  She volunteered with the English Springer Spaniel Rescue program of Michigan and the English Springer Spaniel Club of Michigan.   Maryann was a devote Catholic, taught catechism, and was a member of St. Bernadine Catholic Church of Westland, St. Joseph Catholic Church of Dexter and Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Webster Township. She was active in Girl Scouts of America for over 20 years and was a Scout leader in the 1960’s and 70’s. She loved watching the Wheel of Fortune and the Price is Right game shows. She was an avid Rummikub player and was able to play and win well into this past year. She loved spending time with Family and friends. 

There will be a family-only funeral on December 30th, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Village Church with a mass to follow, lead by Father Brendan Walsh. She will be buried at Old St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery. There will also be a memorial for Maryann during the Summer of 2021 where friends and family will be welcome to celebrate her life. 

Memorial contributions are suggested in lieu of flowers to the food banks of Faith in Action Dexter or Chelsea or Catholic Social Services. 

Please leave a message of comfort at 1-877-241-7900 or sign her guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.