Mary Ann Dean a Jacksonville native died Jan 4th, 2023. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1961 and attended the University of Florida before later graduating with a teaching degree from Jacksonville University in 1991. She loved children and animals and was active in the professional Dog Show circuit under the kennel names Cowart Cockers and On-Point Cockers. She taught as a Kindergarten teacher with the Duval County School Board until her retirement in 2011. She was very active in her faith and regularly attended St Paul’s Catholic Church, her parish since childhood.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Purl and Wilma Dean and is survived by her sister Nancy Dean Kohen, her 4 children Elizabeth Ann Cowart, Mary Stewart Jackson, Michael DeStefano and Andrew DeStefano, her six grandchildren Anna DeStefano, Elizabeth DeStefano, Michele DeStefano, Mary Frances Blunk, Megan McCracken, and Ava Jackson and her two step-grandchildren Mary McCracken and Allicia McCracken.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 12th 2023 at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, 2609 Park Street. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
