Mary Ann Conley

May 24, 1937 - March 20, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Ann Conley on March 20, 2024, at the age of 86. Mary Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her seven children, William Keith Conley (Brenda), Roger Kevin Conley (Peggy Baldwin), Robert David Curbo (Tracy), Stephen Kent Conley (Maria), Thomas Michael Curbo (Gina), Catherine Ann Ross (Rodney, deceased), and Paul Steven Curbo (Jill). Mary Ann was also a loving grandmother to Kris Conley, Kyle Conley, Jennifer Brown, Kaycee Bennett, Koree Neff, Kristin Curbo, Colin Curbo-Coplan, Chase Curbo, Coalman Ross, Ellie Curbo and Alexa Curbo and great-grandmother to many great-grandchildren, who will all miss her dearly.

Born on May 24, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas, to William "Bill" George Berry and Mildred Healy Berry, Mary Ann lived a life filled with love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to family.

Growing up in a proud Irish family, Mary Ann was deeply influenced by her parents. She shared a particularly close bond with her father, cherishing memories of their outings and adventures together and the life lessons he imparted. Mary Ann also shared a special connection with her brothers, Billy, Joe, and Pat. She helped raise her youngest brother, Pat, from a young age and took great pride in his many achievements. Her older brother Joe, whom she considered her hero second only to her father, shared her love of music and dancing. Although her brother Billy faced challenges throughout his life, Mary Ann never faltered in her love and support for him.

On October 12, 1956, Mary Ann married Robert (Bob) Curbo, with whom she had four children: Robert, Tommy, Cathy, and Paul. As a mother, Mary Ann was fiercely devoted to her children, always striving to provide them with a loving home, a good education, and enriching experiences. When Bob passed away suddenly in 1976, Mary Ann faced the challenges of single parenthood with determination and grace, working tirelessly to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability for her children during a difficult time.

Despite the demands of raising four children on her own, Mary Ann remained committed to her own education and career. She took great pride in watching each of her children graduate from high school and pursue their paths in life, content in the knowledge that she had raised them to be loving, decent, and productive individuals.

In 1981, Mary Ann's life took a joyful turn when she married Kenneth Glenn Conley, whom she described as her soulmate, best friend, and deepest love. Married for 41 years, they shared a love of dancing, bowling, and traveling, and Ken brought a new sense of excitement and fulfillment to her life. This marriage also grew the family by three more young men with the addition of Keith, Kevin, and Kent Conley. Ken passed away in January 2023 and loved Mary Ann until his last breath.

One of Mary Ann’s favorite roles in life was as a grandmother. Mary Ann devoted herself to helping raise her granddaughter Jennifer, a responsibility she considered the most demanding and rewarding of her life. Meme or Mimi was a grandmother who joyfully met each child’s wants and needs - playing race cars on the floor, collecting decades of Happy Meal toys, teaching them new board and card games, playing beauty salon by washing their hair in the kitchen sink, running carpool for busy parents, helping with homework after school, and shopping at garage sales and thrift stores. And the most decadent cinnamon toast regularly brightened sleepover mornings.

Her loving home was never without an unlocked door, a metro line so all the family could call for free, the current holiday decor on the front door to welcome you, a Bundt cake (often lemon) ready to be cut on the kitchen table, treasured family heirlooms with accompanying stories, cold drinks in the garage fridge (make sure to close the door tight!), music of all genres, a paper plate and sharpie to announce the current year for special photos, a pot of beans in the crockpot and most of all…her best advice.

Despite having a large family, she rarely forgot a birthday and many anticipated her annual phone call which began with a tinny recording of “Happy Birthday to You” from a small magnet shaped like a cake with candles. Hearts were broken when it ultimately ran out of juice and the tradition was forced to end.

Mary Ann’s love, generosity, and wisdom touched the lives of all who knew her.

She was an active member in the community by serving her church, Trinity United Methodist, helping her neighbors and friends, and as Queen Mother Emeritus of her Red Hat group. Throughout her life, Mary Ann also remained dedicated to her large extended family, always striving to maintain close relationships with her siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Mary Ann on June 22, 2024, at 2 pm at Moore Bowen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mission Arlington in Mary Ann's memory. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Mary Ann’s daughter-in-law, Maria Conley, for being her devoted medical advocate and to the caregivers at Echelon Place for their compassionate care and support during Mary Ann's final days.