MaryAnn Herring

For 69 years MaryAnn was the beloved wife of William Herring, who survives her. Together, they built a life rooted in love, resilience, and family. She was the loving mother to five children: the late Dolores Herring, Margaret (Robert) Palazzolo, Doreen (Kenneth) Toffolo, William (James Scott) Herring, and Stephen Herring (and partner Heidi McDuffie). She was blessed with nine grandchildren - Robert, Christine, Michael, Joseph, Karyn, Laura, Tracy, Ashlyn and Jessica and eight great-grandchildren - Liv, Linnéa, Robert, Ryan, Cameron, Lukas, Aly, and Madelyn.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 12, 1938, to Harold V. and Margaret Lawson, MaryAnn was the youngest of five children and the last surviving sibling. She was predeceased by her sister Pat (George) Hults, brother Sonny (Lynda) Lawson, sister Margaret Lawson, and sister Sr. Dolores Lawson.

MaryAnn spent 25 years raising her family in Ozone Park, Queens, before relocating to Brooksville, Florida in 1991. For over three decades, she and her husband were proud “snowbirds”, spending summers at Lake Adventure in Milford, PA, where they shared countless memories with extended family and lifelong friends.

MaryAnn was a stay-at-home mom caring for her 5 children. She liked family meals around the table and was a stickler for 5 o’clock suppers and 1 o’clock Sunday dinners. Her devotion to her family was matched only by her care for her husband; She always had a warm plate waiting for him when he arrived home from his shift from the FDNY Engine 16/Ladder 7 firehouse. Her unwavering love for her husband and her family was the cornerstone of her existence.

MaryAnn was known for her vibrant spirit and big personality. She was the life of every party, loved the macarena and chicken dance, adored Donald Duck, had a deep affection for butterflies, enjoyed her Beringer White Zinfandel, and waving the American flag. She was honest, bold, and unapologetically herself, her one-line zingers as sharp as her heart was full.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. MaryAnn was cremated, and her ashes will remain with her beloved William until they can be laid to rest together in a future graveside memorial.

MaryAnn Herring will be lovingly remembered by her family as a woman of great strength, courage, unconditional love, and the very definition of home. Through illness and struggle she never lost sight of what was important to her. She ended every conversation and visit with the same three words: “I Love You.”