Mary Ann Stubbs

Mary Ann grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and relocated to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. A beautiful, smart and charismatic woman, she was a leader in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority with her popularity culminating in her crowning as the second Homecoming Queen ever at the University.

It was at the U of A she met her beloved husband Robert Stubbs. Together they spent over 60 years building an incredibly successful life. They were well-known philanthropists and patrons of the arts. No one appreciated beautiful things quite like Mary Ann. She was intrinsically drawn to dance, sculpture, design, music and theater. She dedicated her life supporting the arts through funding shows, giving scholarships to students and investing in artists she found inspiring. Mary Ann’s name graces the scene shop and fabrication facility in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre at the University of Arizona in honor of her time dancing there as a student with Orchesis.

Mary Ann was especially involved in supporting numerous Tucson charities and organizations including Angel Charity for Children, Silver and Turquoise, the University of Arizona Museum, Tucson Museum of Art, Invisible Theatre, Dancing in the Streets and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

She was quick-witted on a level you rarely see, and driven in a way only compared to the most ambitious CEO. She could read a room in under three seconds and was famous for her banter and one-liners. At 94, she experienced all the highs and lows of life. She lost friends. She lost her soulmate. She lost a daughter. She went from wagon wheels to AI in one lifetime and she did it all with grace and humor.

In addition to a wide network of friends and extended family, Mary Ann is survived by her daughter, Michelle Stubbs, grandchildren Rachel Neubeck, Tess Hogan and Robbie Neubeck. She is preceded in death by her cherished daughter Stephanie Hogan and the love of her life, Robert Stubbs. In her final months, she took great comfort in the idea of seeing them both again.

A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Autism Society or the Wayward Ranch Animal Sanctuary. Arrangements by East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery.