Mary Ann Levitt

Mary Ann Levitt, 83, beloved wife, sister, aunt, daughter of the late Norman and Betty Levitt, and pioneering business leader, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mary Ann grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs with her younger siblings, Ellen and Tommy. After graduating from Northrop Collegiate School, she went on to earn her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's in English Literature from New York University, and later completed Harvard Business School's Executive OPM Program.

Her career was marked by vision and courage. She started working in publicity for RCA Records in New York and eventually returned to Minneapolis to run The Record Shops, a national chain of retail stores. She rose to prominence in the home furnishings industry when she became CEO of Breuner's Home Furnishings in Phoenix. While at Bruener's, she served as President of the Western Home Furnishings Association and ultimately made history as the first woman to lead the National Home Furnishings Association. She was widely respected throughout the industry and was admired for being a wonderful colleague and mentor.

Mary Ann was dedicated to advancing women in business and was a proud member of the Committee of 200, an international organization of leading women executives. She was a member of the St. Francis Yacht Club, the Sausalito Yacht Club, and the Penn Club of New York. Mary Ann also served on the Northern California Board of the Jewish National Fund-USA, extending her commitment to supporting the Jewish community.

The great love of Mary Ann's life was Mort Gerber, with whom she shared both a career and a zest for adventure. After relocating to Sausalito, Mary Ann and Mort expanded and later restructured the family's furniture businesses and ultimately sold The Record Shops retail chain to Warehouse Music. Beyond business, they embraced sailing and traveled widely-from Europe and the South Pacific to Japan, South America, and Africa. One memorable voyage took them from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta, a 17-day sail.

In later years, Mary Ann journeyed to Cuba, Colombia, Myanmar, and India. A gifted photographer, she captured the beauty of her travels in striking images and compiled them into books of her work. Her love of nature was a constant source of inspiration. She cherished the sweeping views of Richardson Bay from her Sausalito home and the seasonal arrival of migratory birds in Tiburon, finding peace and beauty in these moments.

Throughout their lives, Mary Ann and her brother, Tommy, were extremely close. Being eleven years older, Mary Ann was both a role model and an inspiration to him. While they loved to disagree, there was never any rancor - only deep respect and affection. Over the years, they could be found side by side working, skiing, sailing, traveling, eating, and drinking. Tommy was with her until the very end. Mary Ann adored Tommy's wife, Margi, who shared her love of travel and photography and surrounded her with care and devotion in her final months.

Mary Ann particularly loved spending time with her nieces and nephews and their families. She and Jennie, who lived nearby, enjoyed many happy times together, often bonding over their shared love of good food and good wine. Adam and Zachary made frequent visits, traveling long distances to be with her. She also shared a deep connection with her dear friend and cousin Susie, whose name she often called during her recovery. And, Mary Ann treasured her friendship with Marjorie Posadas (Nini), her personal assistant and companion, whose presence enriched her life.

Resilient and full of life, Mary Ann faced challenges with grace and fortitude. Even as her health presented obstacles, she remained undaunted. She was wise and generous and always ready to listen. She found immense joy in her friendships - from neighbors in Sausalito to friends who traveled across the world to be with her.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Mort, and her sister, Ellen. She is survived by her brother, Tommy, sister-in-law, Margi; five nieces and nephews-Adam Braverman, Zachary Braverman (Maki), Jennie Levitt (Luis), Laura Lacquiere (Andrew), and Nash Levitt; and nine cousins-Robert Hiller, Jimmy Levitt (Jane), Jean Birnberg, Carol Friedman, Betsy Schwartz, Nancy Chait (Gordon), Susan Zitomer (Norman), Hart Garner, and Celia Lee (Myung). She also leaves behind many other cherished family members and friends who will carry her memory forward.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary Ann's life will be held this fall, with details to be announced soon.

Memorials may be sent to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Jewish National Fund-USA, or donor's choice.

Mary Ann was a powerful force in the lives of her family and friends and will be remembered for her warmth, her optimism, and her generous spirit.