Mary Ann Helen Huff

Mary Ann was born in Kansas City, Kansas to two loving parents who were first-generation United States citizens, having immigrated from Lithuania. As a child, Mary Ann was known for boundless energy, with her mother often remarking that she never walked anywhere but always ran, in a hurry to experience all that life had to offer.

Mary Ann first worked at Harry Abram’s Pharmacy while she attended Junior College on a scholarship. Demonstrating leadership, and intelligence, she was the President of her sorority and later earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas. It was there, in a fateful coincidence, that her dormitory window faced straight at Bob Huff’s dorm window, solidifying a relationship the two had begun earlier. This serendipitous arrangement led to a marriage that would span nearly 60 years.

The couple began their journey together in the territory of Hawaii, where Mary Ann’s driver’s license, issued for life, stands as a testament to their time there. They moved to Oregon where Mary Ann taught elementary school and began raising two children. As child of the Great Depression, Mary Ann was a creative problem solver. To the enjoyment of all, she made Easter bonnets out of paper plates, created Mr. Moto and Princess Halloween costumes out of items in her closet, encouraged summer snowball fights with the blooms from the snowball bush, made sleds out of plastic washtubs, and made her own beef jerky.

An educator at heart, Mary Ann embraced learning in all its facets--from philosophical and thoughtful discussions to formal education. Her passion for learning was evident in her pursuit of multiple degrees in the varied fields of Education, Public Administration and Equine Science. Though she considered herself a city girl, Mary Ann discovered a deep love of nature, enjoying back packing and cross-country skiing with her family. She found joy in so many things--from expansive mountains to the tiniest flowers.

Throughout their numerous relocations, Mary Ann embraced the unique offerings of each place she called home. In the early 1980s, she and Bob settled in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where Mary Ann quickly became an integral part of several organizations that helped strengthen the community. She dedicated her time to volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center, participating in the League of Women Voters, contributing to the Ruby Sisson Library fundraising efforts through the Friends Of The Library and the Women’s Civic Club, engaging with Women Helping In Pagosa Springs, and joining the Pagosa Sparklers (light) Dressage Team all while exploring the San Juan National Forest on horseback with Bob. Whew!

Mary Ann was a soulmate to Bob, a guiding force to her children Steve and Susan, an inspiration to her granddaughters Rachael and Jennifer and a cherished friend to many. She will be missed.