Mary Ann Goormastic

The only daughter of Edward Marvin McKenna Sr., and Affa Scott McKenna, Mary Ann Goormastic (nee McKenna) was born in Casper, Wyoming on January 31st, 1925. A bold force to be reckoned with, adventurous, and fearless, she epitomized the true American spirit. At just 18 years old, on a train headed to California, she met and stole the heart of handsome young sailor William Goormastic. Three days later, when William shipped out to serve as Signalmen 2/c, U.S. Navy, during World War II, Bill and Mary Ann knew they had found their soul mates. While Mary Ann waited for Bill, she too proudly served her country. She became a “Rosie the Riveter,” taking a job helping to build warships in San Francisco. Immediately after Bill’s return, he and Mary Ann were wed, on September 25th, 1944. They stayed happily married for nearly fifty years. Mary Ann and Bill traveled the world and the country together while raising a lovely family of three daughters and one son. Both were enthusiastic and talented amateur golfers.

Mary Ann and Bill moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from Santa Rosa, California in 1982. Bill took a job working at the golf course at the Sahara Country Club. Both doted on their growing brood of grandchildren. When Bill passed away in 1993, Mary Ann threw herself into community service. A staunch Democrat, she quickly became a prominent member of the state party, earning awards from the Democratic Party, which hired her to work for them thanks to her intelligence, the fierceness of her convictions, and her unparalleled campaign and people skills. During this time Mary Ann became a successful realtor while working as a senior advocate in both paid and unpaid capacities. Mary Ann was recognized as an outstanding community leader by federal, congressional, state, county, and city officials.

Mary Ann was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She had a wicked sense of humor and wasn’t afraid to say exactly what she thought about things, particularly when she thought something was wrong or unjust. She gave voice to the voiceless. Her heart was vaster and deeper than the ocean. Simply knowing her made you a better person. She was grace and altruism personified.