Mary Ann Barraco Klement passed away April 2, 2024 surrounded by people who loved her. She was born on July 18, 1949 in Rockville Centre, NY and grew up on Long Island. Mary was a kind and generous person, often quietly helping others in need and opening her home in San Diego to friends and family. She enjoyed running and taking walks along Sunset Cliffs and at age 50 she completed the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. Mary loved the arts and throughout her life, loved to visit New York City to attend the theatre, ballet, and opera. She also enjoyed fine dining and appreciated the art of cooking. Mary generously supported numerous institutions and organizations through her philanthropy ranging from social issues to medical research. In 8th grade, Mary Ann decided that optics and quantum mechanics would define her career (she was right). She also decided that she would not work for the same company as her father, (Grumman) who was an aeronautical engineer (she was wrong). Mary studied at Adelphi University on Long Island where she earned as B.S. (1971) and an M.S. (1973) in Physics. She also was a teaching assistant at Adelphi. One of two graduate students studying physics, she then went on to earn a second Master’s Degree in Management Engineering from Long Island University. Mary’s passion for physics was inspired by her father and the book Men Against Death. Her first engineering job was with AIL where she made lasting friendships with her colleagues and earned their respect as a woman in a male dominated field. Mary came to San Diego to work for General Dynamics and later for Northrop Grumman where she served as the proposal leader and program manager of the Global Hawk project. A logistics analyst by training, Mary held numerous vital roles in engineering, manufacturing and development of highly sophisticated unmanned air vehicles. She worked for 15 years in the cruise missile division. She served as an escort to a team of Russian non-proliferation inspectors as part if the 1988 UNF treaty agreements. One of the few woman in her field, Mary mentored and was a pioneer and role model for girls and women entering engineering and the sciences. She retired from the aerospace and defense industry leaving her mark of professionalism and competency. Mary met and married Patrick Klement in 1981, with whom she shared 21 happy years. Together they enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and the outdoors.Mary is survived by her sister Dotti Barraco Hetnar (Edward Hetnar), her sister-in-law Elaine Halliday (Bob Halliday) and her sister-in-law Kathy Rahilly; her niece Emma Hetnar (Alvin Nance), her niece Katie Halliday, her niece Robin Halliday, her nephew Jeff Rahilly (Ami Rahilly) and her niece Sarah Domen.Mary was preceded in death by her husband Patrick Klement; her brother John Barraco.In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Rady Children’s Hospital, Adelphi University or KPBS in memory of Mary. Funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach (4776 Saratoga Ave) on Friday April 12th at 10am.
