Mary Ann McMurdo, 86, of Monroe City, MO, passed away at 4:25 am, Friday, January 31, 2025, with her family at her side, at Baptist Homes of Shelbina in Shelbina, MO, after a brief battle with brain cancer.
 Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the O’Donnell-Thurman Life Celebration Home in Monroe City, MO. Mike McMurdo and Rev. Andy Coon will officiate. Burial will follow at Florida Cemetery in Florida, MO. Bobby Fischer will officiate.
 Friends and Family are invited to Mary Ann’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the funeral home.
 Arrangements are under the direction of the O’Donnell-Thurman Life Celebration Home in Mon­roe City, MO.
 Mary Ann was born November 17, 1938, in Cushing, OK to Edwin Louis Fick and Iola Mildred Prescott Fick. She was the only daughter of 4 and graduated from Cole Camp High School. Her family moved several times from OK to IL to MO due to her father’s job in the oil industry.
 She was married to James “Jim” McMurdo on May 21, 1955, in Gravois Mills, MO. They were blessed with three children, Sheryl (Gary) Hays of Monroe City, MO, Teresa (Jeff) Provost of Olathe, KS, and Wes (Tanya) McMurdo of Monroe City, MO, grandchildren, Tyler (Emily) Hays, Adam (Alisa) Hays, Olivia (Dakota) Beckett, Emily (Arthur) Sellers, Nathan (Marissa) Provost, Keegan (Danielle) McMurdo, Makenzie (Casen) Chapman, great grandchildren, Kayly Rash, Layton; Mia; and Maisy Hays, Everly Beckett, Marel Sellers, and Parker Raine McMurdo, also surviving is her brother, Kenneth (Carol) Fick of Hilton Head, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews.
 Mary Ann was preceded by her parents, husband, Jim on March 25, 2022, 2 brothers, Jim Fick and David Fick, and infant daughter, Susan Lynn in 1958.
 Faith and family defined her life. Mary Ann devoted many years serving in various roles at the Florida Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Florida, MO. She rarely missed a Sunday providing piano music at worship services until she reached age 80 when she decided to retire. She taught Sunday School classes for children and adults, served as an elder in the Presbyte­rian Church, became certified as a Lay Speaker in the Methodist Church, organized church dinners, and led numerous other roles. She leaves a legacy of her faith to her children serving as a role model and requiring them to attend church services every Sunday as children.
 Mary Ann volunteered and served her community as well. She received the Outstanding Young Woman of the County award in 1970 in recognition of her service in Monroe County and Outstanding Nursing Home Activity Director for the Fulton State Hospital Community Placement Region. She was Mark Twain Club Leader for a number of years and Food Leader, and numerous other roles.
 She was superintendent of Vacation Bible School, Chairman of Missions, President of the Mark Twain Extension Club and made weekly visits to shut-ins and nursing homes. She also served as the Community News reporter for the Monroe County Appeal.
 Mary Ann began her working career as a cook for Head Start in Monroe City, MO. She served as the Activity Director at Monroe Manor in Paris, MO for 20 years. She also worked for the Mark Twain Lake Chamber of Commerce, Century 21 in Monroe City, MO, Swiss Colony in Hannibal, MO, and in later years worked as a bookkeeper.
 In her spare time, Mary Ann enjoyed visiting extended family, spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an accomplished quilter and over the years made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and most of her great grandchildren. She joined Monroe City Singers and spent many years sharing her love of music and singing with others, Mary Ann was a wonderful cook and readily wel­comed family and friends to their home for family celebrations and holidays.
 Mary Ann was also an avid reader, especially Louis L’Amour books. In addition, she enjoyed watching grandchildren play sports and Oklahoma college foot­ball.
 Mary Ann’s last role of service was to lovingly provide care for Jim as he battled dementia before his death in 2022.
 Pallbearers will be Tyler Hays, Adam Hays, Nathan Provost, Keegan McMurdo, Dakota Beckett, Dean Allen Manuel, Brett Manuel, and David James Fick.
 Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Reynolds, Larry Douglas, Alan Cornwall, Gary Hays, Jeff Provost, Tim Fick, and Mike Fick.
 Memorial contributions may be made to Florida Presbyterian Church or Monroe City Kids Summer Lunch Program.