She was the widow of Donald Marburg; she had lived in the Columbus-Tryon area for almost 30 retirement years. Mary Ann and Donald&39;s 52-year marriage included tremendous love and respect and many wonderful adventures with homes in Burlington, Vt., Beirut, Lebanon, Cambridge, Mass., Beloit, Wis. and Edina, Minn.&bsp; &bsp;

Born in Morristown, N.J., and raised in Hackettstown, N.J., she was the daughter of Charles A. and Dorothy C. Smith. She attended the University of Vermont, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1948. She and classmate Donald Marburg of Montclair, N.J., were married the following fall. Mary Ann was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, an honoree of Mortar Board Society, and a reigning queen of the UVM Winter Carnival in 1947. She was a devoted wife and mother of six daughters, a part time teacher, an active community volunteer, an animal lover and avid supporter of the arts.&bsp; Mary Ann&39;s strength, kindness and caring will be her legacy. Her husband Donald predeceased her, as did daughters Katherine, at age 19, and infant daughter Karen.

Survivors include daughters Nancy Marburg and Joanne Marburg of Tryon, Kristin Hylland and husband Larry of Winston-Salem, Ellen Burnell and husband Barry of Eagle, Idaho; also grandchildren Summaiya (Justin) D&39;Adamo of New York City, Jefferson Abelt of Two Harbors, Minn., Andrea (Erin) Geary of Duluth, Minn., Matthew Hylland of Boone, N.C., Jacquie Burnell of Winston-Salem, and H.A. Charles Burnell, U.S. Navy, of Bethesda, Md.; a brother, C.A. Smith Jr. of Verona, N.J., and two sisters: Jane (Richard) Long of Tryon and Sally (Gordon) Brown of Pawlet, Vt. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Tristan D&39;Adamo and Maya Geary, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann&39;s daughters wish to express heartfelt gratitude to all the caregivers, family, friends and Hospice who have helped in her care over the past years.&bsp; Diane, Beth, Angie, Barbara, Lisa, Lydia; thank you for the devoted and loving care you provided to our Mom&ellip; and us!

A celebration of Mary Ann&39;s life will be held at Mary Ann&39;s home at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 with her niece, Rev. Marti Soper, officiating. &bsp;

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or to the charity of one&39;s choice.

Messages may be sent to family members by visiting www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary