Mary Ann (Nottingham) Rouse

Mary Ann was born on Oct. 5, 1943, to Alvin Lee “Bill” and Pauline (Minar) Nottingham in Plainwell, MI. She graduated from Dansville Agricultural High School in 1961. She continued her education at Western Michigan University where she was on the first women’s field hockey team. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. Mary Ann married George Rouse on August 6, 1965, in Mason, MI and later moved to Versailles, MO. This would be their home for 53 years before moving back to her childhood home in Stockbridge, MI.

She began her career at Okemos Public Schools as a Middle School Physical Education teacher until their move in 1967. She then taught for Eldon Public Schools for one year but later took a position as a Child Welfare Caseworker with the Division of Family Services in Versailles. Throughout her career she was a champion for abused and neglected children. She retired in 2003 as the County Director after a 29-year career serving the families of Miller/Morgan and Moniteau Counties where she touched so many lives. After retirement, she continued her work helping children by conducting Foster/Adoptive Parent assessments and training.

Mary Ann always believed that a community is best served when its children are well cared for, nurtured and educated. When her daughters were in school, she was active in the PTO which included organizing the yearly elementary carnival fundraiser. She was a Girl Scout leader and later served on the Girl Scouts Heart of Missouri Council Board of Directors. She was also very active in the Morgan County Caring for Kids Coalition where she helped organize the Back-to-School Health Fair and Toys for Kids Project. She was on the Morgan County Health Center Advisory Board.

Since 1985 Mary Ann held various roles as an active member of the Upsilon Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, in Versailles. She really enjoyed her Sisters of Beta Sigma Phi and would often talk about all the laughs and good times they shared. She was always ready to play a game when you asked. She enjoyed watching The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed crafting, collecting antiques, Isiah Pacheco (KC Chiefs), working on genealogy and decorating/hosting holidays, especially Christmas.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, George Rouse, her daughter Jana and husband Andrew Shannon, daughter Jennifer Rouse, brother Tom and wife Lena Nottingham and sister Susan Nottingham and husband Allen Craven, cousins Nancy (Nottingham) and Bud Dockter, Jim Nottingham, Glenn and Marlene Cutcher and Steve and Mindy Cutcher. She was proceeded in death by her granddaughter Jeorgia Elizabeth Rouse and her best friend, Rosemary Goforth Curry.

Mary Ann was an exceptional person who was kind, loving and, in her own words, fair to a fault. She was a selfless person, who was always available to lend an ear and provide support and guidance to her family and friends. She had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and everything in the world was good when she gave you a hug. During this last year her presence has been, and will continue to be, missed each and every day. At her request, there was a small celebration of life for close friends and family at their home in Stockbridge, MI.

The family welcomes your fond memories with Mary Ann on her Facebook page or on the Dignity Memorial obituary website’s Add a Memory. Further, donations in her memory can be made to the Morgan County Caring for Kids Coalition.