Mary Anne Gates Kurz

Mary Anne Gates Kurz peacefully departed this world on March 23rd, 2025, leaving an enduring legacy of love, creativity, and inspiration. Mary Anne was born the first of four siblings on November 14, 1938 in Lewisburg, PA to the Reverand John Parmer Gates and Roberta Ruth Gates (Rarig). Her family's moves to different congregations took them to Philadelphia then Bethesda, MD, after which she attended Bucknell University from 1956-1960. Mary Anne's years at Bucknell created lifelong friendships, shared memories, and stories of "Gates-y's" escapades. Following graduation, she made her early mark on the world through her work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), travel, friendships, and time with family. Being on the move often meant she was driving her cherished convertible - the "Minx Shminx" or on her sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Mary Anne met William J. Kurz on a blind date in Washington, D.C. in 1968 - a date that blossomed into 50 years of marriage, two children, four grandchildren, and countless memories. She put her entire heart into parenting and supporting her family, focusing especially on sharing her love of reading, writing, and creative endeavors. She was often seen in her Rockville, MD then Melbourne Beach, FL neighborhoods with her trusty sidekick "Ernie" by her side, a well-loved and very spoiled Bichon Frise. In her retirement years she immersed herself in, and excelled at, creating beautiful watercolor paintings of her family, her travels, and the beauty she saw in the world. Throughout her life, Mary Anne loved unconditionally and with everything she had, all the while maintaining a feisty edge and goofy sense of humor.

Mary Anne is preceded in death by her husband, William Joseph Kurz, II and is survived by her son William Joseph "Bill" Kurz, III, of Richmond, VA, daughter Wendy Kurz Childers of Decatur, GA, daughter-in-law Robin Vogel Kurz, son-in-law Charles Andrew "Andy" Childers, grandchildren Katherine Anne "Katie" Kurz, William Joseph "Will" Kurz, IV, Flannery Gates Childers, and Hollis Anne Childers, her sisters Roberta "Bobbie" Sass, Rebecca "Becky" Rose, brother John Gates, brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.