Mary Ann Tyler

1936 - 2021

Mary Ann Tyler

July 4, 1936-January 28, 2021

DAVENPORT-Mary Ann Tyler of Davenport, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House with her family by her side. A private family service was held at Weerts Funeral Home and Mary Ann was buried at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport, Iowa.

Mary Ann was born on July 4, 1936, to Dr. Raymond and Mary Berger in Richmond, Virginia. The family moved to Davenport in 1948, where Dr. Berger became one of the first physicians to bring X-ray technology to the Quad Cities. Mary Ann graduated from St. Katherine's School In Davenport and the University of Colorado, where she earned a BA Degree in Education and was a member of the dance program. Mary Ann appeared in Life Magazine when the publication ran a story about the suspension of the University of Colorado's newspaper after printing a photo of freshman Mary Ann wearing only a towel while reclining on a fireplace hearth. The photo's caption invited alums to the homecoming football game, and the photo itself caught the eye of Hugh Hefner, who asked Mary Ann to pose for his new magazine. She politely declined.

Mary Ann returned to her beloved Davenport after college and married L. Herbert Tyler in 1962. She raised three daughters and created a household where all felt welcome and loved, whether they had feet, fur, or feathers. Those with fur, including stray dogs and cats that showed up on Mary Ann's doorstep, enjoyed home-cooked meatloaves that house guests frequently mistook for human food. Those with feathers included a peacock that wandered into the yard one morning and lived in Mary Ann's garage for at least 10 years. Those with feet, both family and friends, were the luckiest because they knew Mary Ann as she will be remembered by all who met her-a selfless mother, a gracious hostess, and a friend to everyone. To be loved by Mary Ann was to be loved constantly and unconditionally.

Mary Ann's interests included fashion, interior design, community, and dancing. Throughout her life, Mary Ann served on numerous boards and commissions. She became the first female president of The Outing Club-one of many positions in the community that she cherished holding. Mary Ann was also involved with the Junior League of the Quad Cities, the St. Katherine's/St. Mark's (now Rivermont Collegiate) school board, the German American Heritage Center and Museum, the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, the Ridgecrest Village Board, the Antique Study Club, and the Scott County Historic Preservation Society.

In her spare time, Mary Ann enjoyed going to antique shows, working in her yard, entertaining, and cooking delicious multi-course meals for family and friends. Mary Ann is survived by her three daughters: Jennifer (James Blackburn) Tyler, Mimi (Michael) Tyler Roberts, and Amy (John) Telleen; granddaughter Loring Telleen; nieces Lisa Cox and Andrea Berger; nephew Chris Berger; and son-in-law Tom Gabrilson. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Raymond Berger. Memorials in Mary Ann's name may be made to Rivermont Collegiate, Humane Society of Scott County, and the German American Heritage Center and Museum.

Online condolences can be made to the family by visiting her obituary at www.weertsfh.com.