Mary Annette Horan

Annette, as she was known to those closest to her, brought wisdom, warmth, and unshakable optimism to everyone who knew her. Throughout her life, she faced numerous health challenges and close calls – yet she lived independently and with remarkable strength, meeting difficult times with resilience and a smile that inspired everyone around her.

Born in October of 1948, she pursued a life dedicated to both intellectual rigor and heartfelt service. She was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, one of the few women in her class at the time. She published in the Michigan Law Review, an accomplishment that reflected both her brilliance and her determination to carve out space in a male-dominated profession.

Before turning to law, Annette was a gifted visual artist. Her creativity was undeniable, but she longed for deeper academic challenge and the independence that came with a legal career. Empowered by her values and a desire to make a difference, she chose a path that allowed her to use her mind, voice, and heart in service to others. Her values in both work and leisure were deeply humanistic, rooted in compassion, environmental care, and an unwavering commitment to community.

Annette had a special way of forming deep and lasting bonds, whether with lifelong friends like Mary and Jim Lau or newer kindred spirits like her neighbor and dear friend Patricia Anderson. She believed in showing up for others, especially those she loved. Through thick and thin, her loyalty never wavered.

To her niece, Elizabeth Adams, Annette was more than an aunt – she was a second mother, a confidante, and a guiding light. Their bond deepened through shared conversations about life, purpose, and resilience. Her encouragement and support helped carry Elizabeth through the many challenges of graduate school and the long road to a PhD. Annette gave generously – not only in practical ways, but emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Her joy in storytelling, her laughter, and her openness were gifts that deeply shaped those around her.

She had a deep love of the ocean, finding peace near the water and joy in scuba diving, especially when exploring coral reefs, which she was passionate about preserving. It was in those underwater worlds that she felt most alive and most connected. She also held a lifelong love of books and reading, a passion she shared with her mother, Anne King Adams. That sense of presence, curiosity, and wholehearted living is something her loved ones will always carry forward.

Her memory lives on not just in those who knew her, but in the values she upheld and the lives she helped shape. In laughter shared, in acts of kindness, and in quiet resilience, Annette remains. We may not be able to call her anymore, but we’ll hear her voice in the stories we tell and see her spirit reflected in the people she loved.

A private memorial will be held in her honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Coral Restoration Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring coral reefs through large-scale cultivation and planting of genetically diverse corals, rooted in science and community engagement. Based in the Florida Keys, the Coral Restoration Foundation runs the world’s largest coral nursery, having planted over 130,000 corals and working to rebuild reef health in the face of climate threats. This mission aligns deeply with Annette’s love of the ocean and her commitment to environmental stewardship.

For more information or to donate, visit coralrestoration.org, and help continue the legacy of protecting the underwater worlds she held so dear.