Mary Ann Moran

Born Mary Ann Donovan in Newton, MA, on December 30, 1947, she grew up as one of twelve children in a house full of happiness and unending activity. After graduating from high school, Mary Ann attended Trinity University in Washington, DC. There, she met her husband, Robert (Bob), and they were married in December of 1969. After Bob’s service in Vietnam, they moved to Maryland and New Jersey, before settling in Arlington, VA, where they have lived for the past 43 years. Mary Ann and Bob lovingly raised four children and their door was always open to friends and neighbors. She volunteered tirelessly with Arlington Public Schools and held many different PTA board positions over the years.

As she raised her children, Mary Ann began her journey as a teacher and community leader. She started her career as a preschool teacher at Westover Baptist, where she worked for 19 years. She touched hundreds of children’s and parent’s lives with a teaching career marked with unfailing kindness, patience, and practical advice. She stressed the importance of early childhood development and advocated for children and parents.

Mary Ann dedicated her free time to volunteering and the service of others. She fed the hungry, clothed the poor, and helped the needy. She had a special gift for teaching and helping children. She volunteered with Arlington’s Task Force on Youth for many years, resulting ultimately in the County's creation of the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, which she chaired. Her volunteer efforts resulted in a second career with Arlington County as the assets liaison to the Arlington Partnership for Youth and Families where she dedicated her efforts full-time to the youth and children of Arlington before her retirement in 2012. Mary Ann has been active with organizations and projects such as Teen Day, Project PEACE, Northern Virginia Family Services, Arlington Parent Education Network, Teen summer expo, Youth film festival, READY coalition, and many others. She taught a parenting class at Arlington County Detention Facility. She served on the board of A-SPAN and the Executive Leadership Council for Arlington-Alexandria Extension Services.

In 1999 Mary Ann was awarded the Arlington Community Hero Award. In 2013, she was given the Allies in Prevention award from Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia. In 2015, she was honored with the William T. Newman Jr. Spirit of Community Award for her many years of dedicated service. In 2019, the Arlington Connect with Kids Champion award was renamed in her honor.

Mary Ann was an avid gardener, bird watcher, and walker. She loved to read and was a member of many book clubs. She had a loving relationship with her husband and they enjoyed traveling together during the years of their retirement.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Betty Donovan, her brothers Brian (Karen) and Chris (Karen), sister-in-law Tricia, and her son Kevin who died at birth. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert A. Moran; her four children, Kate (Kris) Sleeth, Sean (Summer Casillas), Tom (Becky), and Erin; and grandchildren: Brady, Caleigh, Colin, Luisa, Bo, Sunday, and Elle. She is also survived by her siblings: Charlie (Kathleen Lower), Tom, Beth (Patrick Burns), Mark (Katie), Steven (Patsy), Kevin (Sue), Phil (Sally Klingle), Meg (Bryan) Jennings, Priscilla (Rick) Wilcox.

Mary Ann was a deeply spiritual person and attended mass at the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Missionhurst in Arlington. She continuously gave of herself to others, whether it be as a mother, teacher, mentor, advocate, change-agent or community leader. Her generosity and kindness shown to both those she loved and, importantly, those she didn’t know, was admired by all.

A private funeral mass with be held on July 24, 2020. A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider a charitable contribution to the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families Foundation. (link to - https://www.arlingtonpartnershipfoundation.org /)