Mary Ann Stevenson

Stevenson, Mary Ann
10/28/1933 - 7/10/2023
Ann Arbor, MI
Mary Ann (Smith) Stevenson, beloved wife and family matriarch. passed away Monday, July 10th, 2023. Her adoring husband and loving family were at her side.
Mary Ann Stevenson grew up in Kentucky, and was raised with the rich oral tradition of storytelling. Mary Ann was a captivating performer and the folktale "Stone Soup" was always a favorite. In the story, a clever stranger arrives in town. Through wit and ingenuity, he persuades reluctant townspeople into making small, seemingly insignificant contributions that ultimately become a marvelous stew "magically" derived from a single stone. Just like the charismatic stranger in the story, Mary Ann could spot the unique gifts in others. She understood how, together, those special gifts can spark magic on a stage, in a community, and in the lives of others.
Although she called Ann Arbor Michigan her home for the last 65 years of her life, Mary Ann's McClean County Kentucky heritage was central to her identity. Her childhood was shaped by the opposing forces of depression era uncertainty and the rock-solid backstop of a large, and colorful extended family.
Mary Ann's mother, Miss Hugh Bell Smith, became a legendary and beloved teacher in McClean County. Not surprisingly, Mary Ann learned to read at 4 years old and graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class. Mary Ann's father, PH Smith, was the county's first electrician. At six years old, Mary Ann cruised the streets of her small town in a child-sized car PH had cobbled together with spare parts and an old washing machine motor. Her daughters suspect Mary Ann's early exposure to horsepower as the root cause of her legendary lead accelerator foot.
At the University of Kentucky, Mary Ann found an academic home and kindred spirits in the theater department. She quickly earned a place in the spotlight as a skillful actress. She also won the heart of fellow UK student, Dwight Stevenson, who was building sets and scenery for a production in which she starred. Upon graduation from the University of Kentucky, Mary Ann walked away from her role in an Elizabeth Taylor film in favor of the role as Dwight's real life wife. The two were married in 1955 and they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Dwight would earn his PhD. Liz Taylor's success as an actress was certainly legendary, but if there was an Oscar for choosing hisbands, Mary Ann would have won that award by a country mile.
Once in Michigan, the couple joined the Ann Arbor Civic Theater. They grew to love Ann Arbor's progressive and diverse community and made lifelong friends amongst their fellow students and theater people. Mary Ann earned her own advanced degree, and taught children's literature and library science courses at the University of Michigan. She starred in a Public Television broadcast called "Through the eyes of children" filmed at UM and shared with PBS stations across the Country.
As a mother of two girls by 1966, Mary Ann committed herself to a lifetime of counting Christmas presents and m&m's to ensure an equitable distribution.
Dwight, Mary Ann and their girls traveled fearlessly. They always chose the scenic route and seized every opportunity to meet the locals. Her daughters have fond memories of Mary Ann in a French butcher shop putting her acting skills to use with barnyard animal improvisations in an effort to purchase meat for dinner. With long stints in Europe, cross country road trips and frequent returns visits to Kentucky, Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" became the family theme song.
In 1981, Mary Ann was approached by the Dexter, MI school board about creating a community theater group with the goal of utilizing an old school building and stage that wasn't seeing a lot of action. Mary Ann used her powers of persuasion to expertly blend Dexter's own theatrical "stone soup" from scratch. Under Mary Ann's direction, realtors became cowboys, students became farmers, ministers became townsfolk, and school administrators donned their bonnets to bring Dexter Community Players' first production, "Oklahoma!", to life. Mary Ann continued to direct plays for many years and the theater has since become a vibrant part of life in Dexter.
In later life, Mary Ann beat the odds to survive ovarian cancer, she loved her grandchildren, cruised down the Nile in Egypt, sailed the Greek islands, and spent enough time in France that even their dog racked up serious frequent flyer miles. In a lifetime of travel, Mary Ann and Dwight forged a network of friendships that span continents and decades. They welcomed international travelers into their home with warm hospitality and considered friendships the most precious souvenirs of their world travels
Although Alzheimer's disease eroded her once masterful command of language, she never lost her slightly sassy sense of humor, a love of music, and a genuine interest in others. She also rarely missed an opportunity to perform. In the days following her death on 7/10/23 one of the facility caregivers shared a wonderful candid video she had taken during the stressful, early days of the COVID 19 pandemic. In the short clip, Mary Ann leaves her room to find nurses and aides having an impromptu dance party in the common area. Mary Ann smiles broadly and starts to groove. Instinctively, she pushes her walker to the middle of the dance circle and busts a move to the giggles and delight of all. She still knew how to put on a great show.
A private family celebration of Mary Ann's life is planned. If you'd like to honor her memory, Mary Ann's family suggests a making a donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Association by visiting www.alz.org
Mary Ann is survived by her husband of more than 67 years, Dwight W. Stevenson, daughters Ann Chapman and Melissa Smith, grandchildren Lydia Neirynck, Amelia Chapman, and Chad Rensi, great-grandchildren Layla Neirynck and Graham Neirynck.