Mary Ann Maxwell

1926 - 2021

Mary Ann Maxwell
1926-2021
MARY ANN MAXWELL died on February 6th after a brief illness and a month shy of her 95th birthday. It was her favorite weather on that Saturday morning…cold and grey with a touch of fog and mist. Born on March 7, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the younger daughter of the late Lucie Omohundro Maxwell and Roderick Whitworth Maxwell. Educated in Michigan, California, and Texas, she graduated from The Hockaday School in Dallas and pursued what turned out to be a lifetime career in fashion retailing, particularly the bridal industry.
Mary Ann is survived by her nephew Robert Maxwell Duval, his son Cameron, and Cameron's mother Paula Rousseau Duval.
Trained in major specialty stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and Neiman-Marcus in Dallas, she was also Executive Secretary to both Messrs. Stanley and Edward Marcus and, in that capacity, moved to Houston to assist Mr. Edward Marcus with the opening of the first Houston store in 1955.
After thirty years in management and buying positions including tours with Foley's and Sakowitz, Mary Ann opened "Mary Ann Maxwell for the bride" in 1979, presenting Houston with the finest of wedding and debutante apparel, as well as planning, directing and personally attending hundreds of those formal events. Clients, from movie stars to politicians to the secretary who saved and saved because she always wanted a Mary Ann Maxwell wedding, came from throughout the United States to see the best in the business. Each one received total and complete attention to every detail. Especially rewarding was the opportunity of working once again with mothers and brides of thirty years ago as they, themselves, became the grandmothers and mothers of current brides.
Mary Ann was known by anyone who met her as "the most unforgettable character" and she was known for limitless generosity. If she was down to her last five dollars she would give you four and put the last dollar aside in case you needed it later. In her shop one day she gave the order to refund all money paid by a bride whose mother had just died very unexpectedly. When asked if the wedding had been cancelled Mary Ann replied "no…she needs the money to bury her mother."
In the business of weddings timing and deadlines are crucial. Mary Ann's sense of time was so instinctual and so accurate she never felt the need to wear a watch. And, never owned one. When asked if she looked at the position of the sun to tell time she said "What? And, ruin my eyes??"
In 2001, Mary Ann retired and donated the majority of her bridal collection to the costume department of The High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. She enjoyed her friends, antique shows, and never met an animal she did not kiss on the lips. As age and arthritis began to damage her mobility the care given by Maria Gaudin and Mr. Mo provided a friendship and quality of life that brought her many happy days and laughter. Their contribution was priceless.
Mary Ann was often asked to share her "beauty tips" because she never looked anywhere close to her actual age. When she read Audrey Hepburn's answer to this same question she wanted it included in her obituary…"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For poise, walk with the knowledge you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anyone."
In keeping with Mary Ann's concern over the dangers of COVID-19, no services were held. She will be buried with her mother in Whitesboro, Texas. Because of Mary Ann's love of animals please consider a donation in her name to The Humane Society of Houston, 14700 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas 77053.