Mary Ann Fanning Dee

ALICEVILLE Mary Ann Fanning Dee, age 82, of Aliceville, formerly of Mt. Carmel, Ill., passed away at Hospice of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa on May 14, 2013.

She was born on October 18, 1930, in Aurora, Ill., the daughter of Dr. Raymond Jesse and Genevieve Barbara (Goetsch) Fanning. She attended Saints Peter and Paul Grade School in Naperville, Ill. and Naperville High School with the exception of her sophomore year at St. Mary's Academy Notre Dame of Holy Cross, Ind. She attended St. Mary's College Notre Dame at Holy Cross, Ind. for two years before transferring and graduating from the University of Alabama in 1953 with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology. She was a member of Theta Upsilon Sorority. While attending the University of Alabama she met and married J. Roy Dee Jr. of Mt. Carmel, Ill. They lived in married housing at the University of Alabama for several years before moving to St. Petersburg, Fla. for 2 years while Roy worked in banking. They then moved to Mt. Carmel, Ill. where they resided for 35 years, before moving to Dee River Ranch near Aliceville, Ala. in 1991.

Mary Ann was a devoted member of the Catholic Church wherever she lived. She was a role model for prayer and her spirit filled life, often saying: "God is good all the time." She served on St. Mary's Church Parish Council and cooked and crafted for many a church or school social or fundraiser. She was a lifetime member of Wabash Valley College Foundation. She was a member of the Aliceville Gardeners and New Era Arts Club. She attained Master's level in Bridge, was an avid quilter and knitter. She was a gourmet cook. She loved to read and traveled the world, seeing China, Australia, Russia, Africa, Italy, Korea, and Ireland. She was a faithful Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and a loyal supporter of the University of Alabama.

She is survived by her husband, Roy; 12 children, Coleen Butterick (Merle), Teresa Salmon (Jim), Katie Banks (Steve), J. Dee (Debbie), Susie Crabb, Annie Dee (Ed Sikora), John Dee, Sara Kroeger (Dave), Ellen Bass, Patty Dee (Danny Hutchinson), Jean Lewis (Matt Lewis), and Mike Dee (Shannon); 31 grandchildren, Katrina Butterick, Michael Butterick, Sean Salmon (Katie), Ian Salmon, Melanie Banks, Page Banks, Shelly Euell (TJ), Joseph Dee (Lindsey), Erin Denniston (Chris), Patrick Dee, Stanton Crabb (Lindsey), Rachel More, Seth More (Jodie), Jesse More (Leslie), Taylor Dee, Amanda Dee, Ben Kroeger (Lauren), Drew Kroeger, Alisa Trail (Scott), Amber Wilkinson, Adam Wilkinson, Chelsea Bass, Callie Bass, Gena Kelley (Leroy), Nicholas Fischer, Colin Fischer, Alexia Lewis, Jessica Lewis, Victoria Dee, Isabella Dee, and Lily Catherine Dee; 14 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Samantha, and Tabitha Adams, Dalton Euell, Emma Grace Dee, Mason and Grant More, Kaleb Rogers, Clay and Carly More, Ashlyn and Willow Trail, Gator Wilkinson, and Franklin Kelly; and a faithful and friendly golden lab, Patsy.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Raymond Jesse Fanning; mother, Genevieve Barbara Goetsch Fanning; brother, John Michael Patrick Fanning; and stepmothers, Ollie Fanning and Arabelle Fanning.

Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Aliceville, Ala. Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dogwood Chapel in Aliceville, Ala.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's School, 417 Chestnut Street, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863; The Dwelling Place, 2824 Dwelling Place Road, Brooksville, MS 39739; Corpus Christi Catholic Church, P.O. Box 533, Macon, MS 39341; or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.