Mary Ann Woodward

Mary Ann was born in Mt. Vernon New York in 1932 to Italian parents; her father Giovanni Tognetti being an immigrant from the Bergamo region in Northern Italy. The family settled in the Los Angeles area where Mary Ann was raised.

Mary Ann met her future husband when they moved to a new house in Los Angeles and she began a long distance friendship with the son of the neighbor family. Jack Woodward was serving in the Navy in Korea at the time and they continued to write to each other and spend time together when he was on leave. Jack and Mary Ann married in 1953 and moved to their house in Alhambra where they both lived the rest of their lives.

Mary Ann was the mother of two sons, Mark and Jack, who along with their wives Janet and Karen, raised 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren that Mary Ann both spoiled and provided guidance and emotional support. Mary Ann’s family was her pride and joy and the magic of a full table at the holidays provided her with a year’s full of happy memories to treasure.

Mary Ann was an office administrator at Monterey Highlands School where she quickly earned the nickname MAW since there was another Mary Ann in the office. For 34 years MAW gave her heart and soul to the school, its students, and of course, the entire school staff. Friendships developed during those days were forever.

Mary Ann devoted her spare time, especially after retirement, to a life of service to others. From Cub Scouts to school and church activities, Mary Ann was always closely involved with the St. Therese Church community in Alhambra. In recent years before becoming ill, Mary Ann was a wedding coordinator for the church and fussed over every detail to make sure that each wedding was perfect for the new couple.

Mary Ann volunteered for numerous other groups such as the Pregnancy Help Center and the Alhambra Day Nursery, as well as being a docent at the San Gabriel Mission and a civilian emergency volunteer with the Alhambra Fire Department. Mary Ann filled her life with service to her community and reaped immense joy from her efforts.

Her family, her friends, her church and her community will forever miss the angel that God allowed to share too few years on Earth. Rest in Peace Mary Ann.

In Lieu of Flowers, Please make a donation in Mom's name: Mary Ann Woodward to: Pregnancy Help Center of San Gabriel Valley,Inc. Checks can be mailed to the center at: 5626 N. Rosemead Blvd., Temple City, California 91780, Thank You.