Mary Ann Rose

The courage with which she battled cancer came from her life long desire to experience everything she could with open arms and a bright smile. Her laugh was infectious and her zeal for life left a lasting impression on all she encountered.

She had a unique ability to let you know she loved you, to put others before herself and to remind you, by example, that life is something to be thoroughly enjoyed no matter the circumstance.

Mary Ann was born in Dothan, Alabama, on September 1, 1943 to the late Lorene and Rufus Hartley.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Bob; her daughter, Sandy Kostis and her husband Peter and two grandsons, John and Adam of Phoenix, AZ; two brothers, Charles Hartley and Jerry Hartley, and three sisters, Jean Branton, Patricia Hermerson and Peggy Starling.

Mary Ann spent much of her life embracing change. She lived in all corners of the country. When her grandkids were born she moved to Florida to be close to them and then to Arizona for the same reason. The transition from the seafood of the Gulf States to the Mexican food of the Southwest was eased knowing she’d be close to family.

She refused to let a day pass without laughing. Her sense of humor was unparalleled and thankfully lives on in her only child, Sandy.

Mary Ann settled in Ashford with Bob where they enjoyed challenging new projects fixing up the house, spending time with their beloved dog, Dazy and cat, Boots, and picking up pecans in their backyard. An afternoon spent at their house was truly a respite from the trials life can sometimes provide.

She constantly strived to do the right thing for the right reason. In recent years that conviction led her become involved in the political scene of Ashford.

A Celebration of Mary Ann’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street with Mr. Paul Bruner officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 until 2 on Thursday prior to service time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, 104 Rock Bridge Road, Dothan, AL 36303 or SAMC Foundation for Mobile Breast Cancer Screening, www.SAMCfoundation.org.