Mary Ellen Ackerson

Mary Ellen Ackerson passed away at the age of 90 on September 3, 2023, at the Fairfax Retirement Community near Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Mrs. Ackerson was born on August 29, 1933 to Cdr. Frank and Rosa Lee Wortman in Mobile, Alabama. Mary Ellen’s father was a career Coast Guard officer, and as a result, Mary Ellen grew up at a variety of postings, primarily New London, CT, and Arlington, VA. Mrs. Ackerson graduated from high school in Arlington in 1951 and entered the College of William and Mary where she graduated with a degree in History in 1955. Following graduation, Mrs. Ackerson worked at the Pentagon where she met her future husband, Col. Frederic Ackerson (USA-Ret). After marrying in 1957, the Ackersons had assignments throughout the U.S. and Europe during Col. Ackerson’s 29-year military career, including Paris, Germany, Ft. Benning, GA, Fort Carson, CO and the Pentagon. Following Col Ackerson’s retirement, the Ackersons made their home in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria, VA, including a 4-year assignment at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The Ackersons moved to the Fairfax Retirement Community near Ft. Belvoir, VA in 2014. They loved to travel, visiting friends and family around the country and touring countries around the world. During the various assignments and concluding at the Fairfax, Mrs. Ackerson had a desire to help others, utilizing her extensive knowledge and superb organizational skills. She volunteered with the Women’s Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra, libraries at the Fairfax and her sons’ schools, Voter Registration and Education, and the League of Women Voters. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, led various book groups throughout her life, and organized both her high school and college reunions. Col. Ackerson pre-deceased Mrs. Ackerson passing away earlier this year on May 31. Mrs. Ackerson is survived by her 3 sons - Douglas (Sharon) of Alexandria, Norman (Leslie) of Goodyear, AZ, and Steven of Annapolis. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren – Jacob, Alice, Hillary, Clayton, Annabell, Zoe, and Millicent, and 4 great-grandchildren – Carlotta, Evie, Arabella and Kaisley. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.