Mary Ann Lofgreen Roelse, 1929 – 2024
Mary Ann’s family invites you to join in a celebration of her life. Mary Ann lived a remarkable life surrounding herself with family, friends, and a passion for sharing joy and love. Her legacy will continue to inspire on October 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Lighthouse United Methodist Church, 325 3rd St. W, Boca Grande, Florida. Mary Ann Lofgreen Roelse age 94 of Boca Grande, Florida and Chesterfield, Missouri went to her heavenly home on March 08, 2024
Mary Ann was a strong Christian woman, and beloved mother, wife, sister, friend, and grandmother whose joy, love, kindness, warmth, and passion for God, family, friends and life was truly amazing and inspirational to all.
Preceding her in death were dearest father, Rowland John Robinson; mother, Rubye Machin Robinson; brother, Jack Robinson, and cherished husbands, Howard Lofgreen and William Roelse. Surviving Mary Ann are her three daughters, Cindy Pence, Julie Lofgreen Willis, Leslie Lofgreen Smith; daughters-in-law, Barbara Roelse, Valerie Abbott; grandchildren, Shelly Willis McGill, Katie Lynn Smith Lockhart, Ryan Smith, Chris Roelse, Greg Roelse; and endearing seven great-grandchildren. Mary Ann’s radiant smile and bubbly personality lifted others up, touching hearts, and left an enduring legacy of this amazing, gifted woman. She was born October 22, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated Webster Groves High School 1947 and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio focused on music, excelling in a cappella harmony and song. She pursued her talent for music, singing, playing piano, fashion, modeling, and interior design with dedication and enthusiasm. Yet, her biggest joy and lifelong commitment was being a devoted wife and affectionate mother, always prioritizing her love of family.
Mary Ann made incredible friends and was known for her outgoing and infectious personality. She loved singing and listening to all types of great music, traveled all over the world with favorite adventures in Africa and Australia, planned Florida family vacations, danced whenever possible, a lover of sun, surf, social get-togethers, a savvy bridge and card player, enjoying engaging activities including tennis, racquetball and horseback riding. Mary Ann was an enthusiastic sports fan, particularly college and pro football, and tennis. She was an ardent Mizzou football season attendee with her husband, Howard cheering her team to victory, speaking the sporting lingo before it was “cool” for women and fervent to the final play. She was an avid brisk walker everywhere her life led, especially her cherished “Boca Beach,” making the most of each life moment. Mary Ann was a dedicated Christian believer and volunteer, contributor and community service partner including the Boca Grande Turtle Patrol, St. Louis Junior League and Girl Scouts faithful to helping others while serving on committees and in leadership positions at churches and other recipient organizations.
Mary Ann was a devoted member of Boca Grande Lighthouse United Methodist Church, serving as a gifted singer in the Choir, barbershop harmony, liturgist, women’s ministry, annual Strawberry Festival and Pancake breakfast fundraising events, Mary Ann shared her time, talent and treasures in service to others.
In Mary Ann’s memory, her family kindly requests in lieu of flowers, that any donations be made to Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a Christian non-profit with a mission inspired by Psalm 146:7 close to Mary Ann’s heart to “feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit” around the world, providing nutritious meals to grow and develop to their full potential. For online contributions, the web address is FMSC.org and to mail: 401 93rd Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Mary Ann truly lived life to the fullest and made the best of each and every day. There are no words to express how deeply she was loved and that she loved. None of us will forget her incredible aura and smile, blessing us with her grace, generous and fun spirit, unwavering resilience, compassion, and abundant love. She will forever remain in our hearts!
