Mary Ann Dalin Larson

Daughter, mother, sister, and wife. Mary Ann (Dalin) Larson passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024, after a four-year battle with cancer. Mary Ann was born in Evanston, Illinois on June 10, 1950, and adopted by Mickey and Jill Dalin. Early in her life, she formed a bond with her older cousin Ed Marriott and his wife, Betty. Since her father had died, “Uncle” Eddie was bestowed the honor of walking Mary Ann down the aisle when she married Keith Larson near their childhood homes in the northern suburbs of Chicago, IL, in 1969.

After their marriage, the two moved to Norfolk, Virginia where Keith was stationed while serving in the US Navy. In Norfolk, Mary Ann gave birth to her first son, Keith Frederick Larson II, known lovingly as “Kip” to all. Following Keith’s discharge from the Navy, the two followed opportunity and settled in Raleigh, NC, in 1975. In 1978 and 1980, Mary Ann and Keith welcomed two new sons, Kristopher Mark Larson and Andrew Michael Larson.

Raising three sons in Raleigh, Mary Ann defined the role of a devoted mother. She became a tireless advocate for her sons’ education and supported their academic and extracurricular pursuits within the Wake County public school system. Among those efforts included service as a leader in the PTA and perpetual transporter of kids and their sports and music gear. Adaptive and understanding, Mary Ann would engage in the activities her sons pursued and form special memories with each of them.

As a self-made businesswoman, Mary Ann built a successful career in residential real estate sales. As a client-focused real estate agent, Mary Ann forged life-long relationships and friendships with many of her clients, a testament to her amicable nature and work ethic. After more than 30 years in the industry, she established her own company in 2019 alongside her partner in life and business, Keith. Hundreds of customers in the Wake County area and beyond would come to welcome the annual arrival of their refrigerator calendars. Her passion for her career was present until the final weeks of her life journey.

Ever curious, Mary Ann pursued a life-long quest to meet her birth family. After decades of investigation and research, she successfully discovered a group of siblings in Chicago and California. The journey to discover her origins took her from libraries in Chicago to learning to navigate modern genealogical research tools. Eventually discovering her blood relatives led to wonderfully rich relationships with new-found siblings. For Mary Ann, the excitement of learning of sisters and brothers she previously only dreamed of sustained her adoration for all things family-centered.

She will be remembered as a generous soul, giving of herself to family and friends without hesitation. A true renaissance woman, Mary Ann’s life spanned many roles including Navy wife, childbirth educator, real estate broker, genealogical researcher, fierce friend to many, craftsperson, and loving mother. Mary Ann’s acumen with real estate contracts was rivaled by her ability to make picture-perfect holiday feasts and precisely hemmed slacks.

Mary Ann was blessed with a creative mind and an artistic spirit. From designing and sewing costumes for her three boys’ school plays, hand-crafting Christmas tree angels, to creating magnificent paper crafts, she was always breathing life into objects with her hands. She blended her love of thoughtful gift-giving and making handmade holiday ornaments into an immersive crafting hobby. Through her love of crafting, she made dear friends, created beautiful keepsake cards, and made lasting memories with her three grandchildren: Malachi, Evie, and Ben. That love would also help her find a kindred clan of crafters: the Griffinites. She leaves a legacy of her passion for creative endeavors through encouraging her children and grandchildren to pursue the arts and self-expression.

Mary Ann was fascinated by the animal kingdom and maintained a special place in her heart for dogs and giraffes. Her white poodle, Frosty, captured a special place in her heart. She loved lobster, movie theater popcorn, filet mignon, dark chocolate, and unsweetened iced tea.

Most of all, Mary Ann was happiest when surrounded by her family, enjoying laughter and stories. She took sincere joy in the happiness of others and made tireless efforts to ensure that those she loved knew the depths of that love. She never hesitated to extend a listening ear, compassionate hug, or expression of concern to her family and friends. The world is a richer place thanks to the love Mary Ann brought into the lives of so many.

She was preceded in death by her adopted parents, Mark “Mickey” Dalin and Opal “Jill” Dalin, two of her children, dubbed her “Angels,” Susan Larson and Keith Larson II (Kip), her adopted brother, Mike Dalin, and half-brother, Don Haidl. Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Keith, two children, Kristopher and Andrew, daughters-in-law, Anne, Elizabeth, and Lauren, grandchildren Malachi, Evelyn, and Ben, half-brother Jim and half-sisters Kelli, Patti, Moira, and Peggy.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on June 22, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home (1701 E. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (www.ocrahope.org).