Mary Ann was born in Jacksonville, FL growing up on Dellwood Ave. in Riverside and was raised by her Sittie and Nana. She attended and was a member of the Bishop Kenny High School graduating class of 1961 and had numerous lifelong friends whom she loved. She was often referred to as “Mur”.
She was a career employee and retiree from Waste Management, Inc. and also went on to work at NFAN and Karl's Clothiers. She was very proud of her Lebanese heritage and was a wonderful cook especially known for her tabouli w/lettuce. She loved to be outside, watch basketball, and was a very avid book reader. She was a truly selfless person and cared for her Nana (Anne) for many years.
The thing she loved most and made her happiest was being with her family. She adored her brother Mitchell and wife Linda, her sister Helen and husband Walt, and she was especially proud of her three generations of nieces and nephews. She was always there for us with unbounded love, support, understanding, advice, friendship, and fun. We felt her love every second we spent with her and we will miss our Auntie Mur dearly.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Said Atalla and Yamna Yeager, aunt Anne E. Yeager, brother Mitchell P. Atalla, and sister Helen A. Zaborniak (Walt).
She is survived by her sister-in-law Linda Atalla, nieces Michelle Simmons, Alexa Graf (Bill), Helena Parola (Guy), nephew David Z. Zaborniak, grand-nephews and nieces Allan Simmons (Anna), Natalie Simmons (Alex), Mikell Graf, Benjamin Graf, Mia Parola, and Elizabeth Parola, and great-grand-nieces Meredith, Ava, and Elin.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by rosary prayers at 7 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 24th at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Historic Church, 4214 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223, followed by a memorial luncheon at Beirut Restaurant, 3928 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32217. Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org, St. Joseph's Catholic Church at stjosephsjax.org, or the River Garden Foundation at rivergarden.org.
