Mary Ann Meyer

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our family matriarch, Mary Ann Bennett Meyer. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 3, 1949 and passed away on March 6, 2026.

Mary Ann loved life and lived it to its fullest every day. She loved her family and friends with tenacity and joy. She was not passive or fragile-she was strong and full of love and fully committed to a life of service to others. A talented artist, Mary Ann enjoyed working in mixed media. Art was her passion and she loved sharing her paintings with family and friends. She was always a woman for others, in her youth and in her adult years, gracefully giving of herself even during her battle with ovarian cancer. She did not give in or give up her fight. She was looking forward to spring and resuming the activities she loved at the time of her unexpected death.

Her beloved spouse Mary Kathleen Morbitizer preceded her in death in June, 2025. Also, her son Andrew Meyer, her parents Harold and Catherine Gerst Bennett, her brothers Donald and Gene, and her former spouse, Bob Meyer.

Already missing Mary Ann are her survivors including her dear sister, Susan McConn (John) and her grandson Michael Meyer (Michelle Matevia). Michael was Mary Ann's sun, moon and stars. He lovingly cared for his Gram throughout her fight with ovarian cancer and in her final illness. Also grieving her loss are her daughter in law, Annette Wright, who was lovingly present throughout all of Mary Ann's health challenges. She will be very deeply missed by her close friends Donna and Erica Briggs. Her extended chosen family included Rob Dorgan, Steve Bolia, Carol Wolfe, Jan Smith, Robbie Becker, Michele Mascari and Leslie Korbee. They, along with numerous others in her extended family, will honor and remember her with deep love and affection.

Mary Ann was a proud alumna of Edgecliff College, graduating with a BA in Art in 1971. She later received her master's degree from Xavier University, and was a certified Master Teacher of Art. She began her 47 year career in Catholic education as an art teacher at Covington Catholic High School, then moved to St. Xavier High School in 1979 where she would remain for more than 30 years. During her time at St. Xavier, she inspired countless young men to pursue their dreams. While at St. Xavier, she established the Advanced Placement Art program and expanded her leadership to include community service with the Canned Food Drive, and heading the St. Xavier Faculty Association. A number of her art alumni from St. Xavier have achieved prestigious art careers because of her mentorship and encouragement during their high school years. She meant so much to those young men who continued to reach out to her to catch up, share their successes and tell her how much she meant to them. Mary Ann continued her career with St. Ursula High School, beginning there as the Assistant Principal for Academics, where she inspired many young women for the next 8 years. Even after her retirement in 2019, Mary Ann continued to serve on the St. Ursula Board. She was just as dedicated to the success of the young women of St. Ursula as she was to her young men at St. Xavier.

During her retirement, Mary Ann was honored to be among the first inductees in the St. Xavier High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2022. She also volunteered for causes that she believed in, serving with the Companions of St. Ursula, as a Docent of the Cincinnati Art Museum, and as a volunteer for the Ovarian Cancer Fund.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Bill Verbryke, SJ, at the St. Ursula Academy chapel at 1339 East McMillan St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45206, on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 11am. All family, friends and former students and parents of students are welcome to attend.

An endowed scholarship has been established by St. Xavier High School to honor Mary Ann. It is hoped that this fund will grow to perpetually support talented young art students throughout their high school journey at St. Xavier. Memorial gifts can be made to the Mary Ann Meyer Scholarship Fund at St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45224 or by visiting https://www.stxavier.org/support-st-x/make-a-gift.

Donations may also be made in her memory to the St. Ursula Companions or the Ovarian Cancer Fund.