Mary Anne Wallace
April 5, 1931- October 16, 2022
Mary Anne Farrow Wallace (91) passed away in her home from congestive heart failure on October 16, 2022. Born on Easter Sunday, 1931, Mary Anne was a lifelong resident of Kirkwood, Missouri, with only brief excursions as a newlywed to Patrick AFB in Florida and Anderson AFB in Guam where her husband, Curt, was assigned as an Air Force Sergeant.
Mary Anne was preceded in death by Curt, her parents Fred and Jane Farrow, in-laws Ladine and Walter Belle Wallace, brother Rick, and nephew Skip. She leaves behind her children Debbie Field (Bob), Carol Gravante (Joe) and Tom Wallace (Kim); brother-in-law Harry Wallace; grandchildren Justin Gravante (Sarah), Dan Gravante (Wee), Joe Gravante (Gabriela D’Jaen), Javan Gravante, Zander Gravante, and deMauri Mackie (Andrew Wilkowski); step-grandchildren Kelley Field, and Lauren Wahler (Matt), nine great-grandchildren, and many friends from Kirkwood and their camping travels.
While stationed in Florida, Mary Anne typed punch cards for one of the earliest first-generation computers. Her typing skills also landed her a job with the officer’s club on Guam. After moving back to Kirkwood and having her children, she was active in politics and social justice, volunteered at schools, and led Girl Scouts. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. Curt and Mary Anne traveled the country together, visiting all fifty states and making dear friends along the way. As an active genealogist, she often used those travels to visit cemeteries and libraries to discover their lineages. She was proud of getting back to the Mayflower through several lines.
Mary Anne loved her children unconditionally. She befriended strangers in need and made everyone feel welcomed and loved. She will be dearly missed. Her ashes will be interred at First Presbyterian in a private family ceremony. There will be an open house at her home on December 3rd, from 2:00 – 4:00 to greet the family and share memories. Gifts in her name may be made to the American Heart Association.
Mary Anne was a very special lady. Proud to have known her and call her my friend. She always had a smile on her face. She will be missed very much by very many who loved her.
Mary Anne will be missed very much. She was such a sweet person and so fun to be around. We looked forward to seeing her (and Curt) every summer in Lake City. She shared her love of other places like the Oregon coast. Become of that we traveled there. Her adventurous spirit was contagious. I think she made people better by being around her.
My friend and a family I love. And Cardinal fan buddy