Mary Anne Hardison

The first thirteen years of her life were spent in the small coastal town of Noank on the Atlantic Ocean. Mary Anne learned to entertain herself at an early age because she was an only child, so her pet rabbits, Snowball and Sunny Boy, and her beloved collie Laddie were there to keep her company.

Mary Anne moved to Dallas in 1948 with her parents so her mother could be closer to her brother. She graduated from Christ the King Catholic School and spent her freshman year at St. Angela Merici (now Ursuline Academy). Mary Anne then graduated from Highland Park High School. She continued her education at the University of North Texas receiving her Bachelor’s degree. There Mary Anne was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was selected as one of the Top Co-eds on campus her senior year. Mary Anne received her Master’s degree in English and Theatre from SMU.

Her first two years of teaching were in White Oak, Texas, a true learning experience for a twenty-two-year-old, lots of oil, not a lot of talent. In 1959, she came back to Dallas and applied at Highland Park School and was hired. The next twenty-eight years were spent happily teaching at the Jr. High level. Mary Anne taught Dramatics which was an “elective” and it fit well with 7th and 8th graders. She also taught Speech for 10 years at the 9th-grade level. She retired from teaching in 1987.

In the fall of 1960, a handsome bachelor joined the facility of Highland Park High School. He was a Highland Park graduate and decided that he wanted to teach rather than remain in the world of marketing and advertising. Mary Anne and John started dating in the spring of 1960 and were married in December 1961. They had to get permission from the school Superintendent and were the first couple to teach in the same building. They served on the advisory board of Dallas Repertory Theatre and were voted Outstanding Sponsors of the 500 Inc. 1977-1978.

Traveling was significant when Mary Anne retired from teaching. She had many travel companions after John’s passing. Mary Anne also played bridge at the Park City Club. She was a member of the Dallas chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for over 40 years, the Matheon Club for 17 years, and past president, The Town North Antique Club, and the North Dallas Women’s Club. Mary Anne was a member of the Spring Valley United Methodist Church for many years.

Friends and family have always been an important aspect of Mary Anne’s life and will always remember her with fondness.

Mary Anne is survived by nephews Douglas and Hardison Coleman; niece Patricia Nelson, husband Craig and their children Caleb Nelson, Cameron Nelson; Colman Nelson and his wife Sarah and their children Cail and Rylie; and Godchildren Elizabeth Burke Griffin and Jim Burke.