Mary Ann was born February 8, 1926 to her late parents Charles Edward and Edith Eveline Sadler, in Eastport. She and her late husband, William Blades, Jr, were neighbors in Eastport and later went to Annapolis High School together. Mary Ann graduated from Annapolis High School in 1943.
During World War II, Mary Ann stayed in touch with Bill by mail. When he returned home in January 1946, they dated and soon became engaged. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis on Wednesday evening, June 12, 1946.
Mary Ann worked with her mother, sister and brother at Sadler’s Hardware on Dock Street, which was founded by her father in March of 1930. Later, she enjoyed working there with many other family members, including her daughter and two grandchildren. Mary Ann retired from Sadler’s Hardware when they closed the shop in September of 1987.
As a lifetime member of the Ladies of the Elks #622, Mary Ann’s and Bill’s calendars were packed with many charities, dances, and social events. They enjoyed traveling with friends. Mary Ann and Bill enjoyed watching Navy Football, and were able to attend a season of home games with her granddaughter and great-grandchildren. She was an avid Annapolis Capital newspaper reader, cutting out any articles about Navy sports to save for Cindy and Jim, her granddaughter and granddaughter’s husband. Orioles baseball games were often on the tv or the radio, as she cheered on her local team.
Mary Ann was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis. She, her mother, brother, and sister were seen together every Sunday in the same pew in the church. Even when she could no longer attend services, she appreciated visits from the Deacons and loved reading about the many church activities.
Family reunions were always something Mary Ann enjoyed. Earlier in life, she and her family would spend summers with family in Mathews County, Virginia. Later in life, the visits were less frequent but she always had a special place in her heart for the extended family, especially her second cousin, Audrey Faulkner.
Closer to home in Annapolis, she was close to Bill’s first cousins, Elmer and Elizabeth Freeman, and their son, Elmer Junior. Always part of events at the family homestead off of Bywater Road, were Rick and Martha Sadler, Sharon and Bill Wildman, Jim and Donna Sadler, and all their families.
Mary Ann had a spirit of love and kindness which will be greatly missed by all that knew her. She was happiest when surrounded by family, and she was so proud of everyone within the four generations she could claim responsibility for on the family tree.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, William Blades, Jr. Seven years after Bill passed, Mary Ann moved to Annapolitan Assisted Living December, 2020. The family is so appreciative of the care, support and sense of community she received there during the last three years. We also want to thank Cypress Creek Senior Living and Heartland Hospice for the love and dignity they provided her in her final week.
Mary Ann is survived by her daughter, Barbara Blades McDowell of Annapolis and two grandchildren, Cynthia Tucker Barnes (James), and William Tucker (Stacie). She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Courtney Barnes McCartney (Mark), Brittany Barnes Antin (Jared), Michael Gregory Barnes (Valerie), Matthew Timmel, Stephanie Ann Jones, Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker, and Marianne Lynn Seitz (Elisha). We are so blessed that she knew her six great-great grandchildren: Eleanor McCartney, Maya McCartney, Theo Antin, Layla Antin, Abigail White and Irene White.
A memorial visitation for Mary will be held Friday, May 31, 2024 from 10 to 11 AM in First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 171 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401. A memorial service will begin at 11 AM. Interment St. Anne's Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Northwest Street &, Annapolis, MD 21401. A reception will immediately follow in the Church Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis.
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