Mary Ann Pierce

Mary A. “GeGe” Pierce, of Apache Junction, AZ, passed away Monday, February 8, 2021. She was born May 15, 1942 in Fort Riley, KS, the daughter of Roy and Mary Elizabeth (Grant) Pierce. She was united in marriage to John T. Evans on February 11, 1961 they later divorced.

Mary graduated from Hayden High School in 1960, while working at Stormont Vail Hospital she earned her CNA and later graduated from Washburn University with an Associates of Arts, Certificate of Completion in Mental Health Work and Alcohol and Drug Abuse in 1987. She worked at Ardan as a Jewelry Manager, and later at The Menninger Foundation as a Mental Health Tech. After moving to Arizona in 1987 she worked at Valley View Hospital, West Valley Camelback Hospital, and the Arizona State Hospital before retiring in 2007.

In her 78 years Mary taught her family and friends many things. She taught her grandchildren not to pout because she would sit on their bottom lip. Her great grandchildren just being clean wouldn’t cut it; it had to be “GeGe Clean". She taught us how to make her famous chicken salad. She didn’t take no for an answer and honestly, she always got her way. In every situation “I'm fine, fine, perfectly fine, I'm fine". Some of her requests while visiting “If you have anything hot or cold please use a coaster”, “Don’t Plop” into your chair, “Keep your hands off the refrigerator” (she didn’t like fingerprints), and finally, How important chocolate is for a happy life, especially a chocolate frosty from Wendy’s. She enjoyed traveling, quilting, crafting, playing cards where she made her own rules, and shopping for hours when you went for just one item.

Survivors include: Domestic Partner Mary Hrenchir, 2 daughters, Laura (Gavin) Hoskins of Topeka, KS, Julie (David) Smoot of Topeka, KS; 4 Grandchildren, Amber (Gary) Baxter of Mayetta, KS, Abri (Will) Lafevre of Topeka, KS, Gavin Hoskins of Amarillo, TX, Nathan (Kristin) Hoskins of St. Benedict, KS. 3 Step-children, Wade (Dawn) Osterhaus of Mesa, AZ, Carol Osterhaus of Chandler, AZ, and Greg Osterhaus of Apache Junction, AZ. Step-grandchildren, Avery Osterhaus of Mesa, AZ, Rachelle Osterhaus of Mesa, AZ, Stephan Osterhaus of Mesa, AZ, Anna Osterhaus of Lawrence, KS. Sister, Janet (Rick) Cunningham of Siloam Springs, AR; honorary daughters, Stephanie and Stacie Williams of Apache Junction, AZ; 7 great-grandchildren; Uncle John and Aunt Maria Grant of Junction City, KS, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Mary Elizabeth Pierce, nephew Doyle T. Morris and beloved dog Amazing Grace.