Mary Ann Markell

Mary Ann Markell, age 81, of Fort Myers, Florida passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Mary Ann was born in Dallas, Texas to her loving parents Joseph M. Gayford and Martha P. Gayford. Loving sister of Peter Gayford, Pam Schwartz, Susan Gayford, and Cynthia Webb. Mary Ann and her family moved to Chicago, IL during her childhood where she attended Alvernia Catholic High School. Mary Ann married her husband Larry L. Markell on June 3, 1967 in Chicago, IL.

Mary Ann was a home daycare provider for almost 30 years. She was very passionate about her career and also started an organization to support home day care providers. Including education on licensing, state inspections, insurance, tax assistance. She also worked with state legislators on reforming laws regulating home daycare. She was a devout Catholic and active at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, IL as a mass coordinator for many years. She loved to read. She would always listen if someone needed to talk.

Mary Ann is survived by her beloved husband, Larry L. Markell. Her children Santina M. (David) Herrera, Joseph (Heather) Markell. Her cherished grandchildren, Ryan Adkins, Santina C. Herrera, Gabriel Markell, Mattia Markell. Her loving siblings Peter (Noreen) Gayford married to, Pam (Bud) Schwartz, Susan Gayford, Cynthia Webb.

She was an amazing person that was beloved by many friends and especially her family.

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 12171 Iona Rd, Fort Myers, Florida 33908, followed by a funeral mass from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked to make a donation in her memory to the Save our Strays Feline Rescue of Fort Myers Beach, FL. https://www.saveourstraysfmb.org/donate