Mary Ann WILSON

WILSON, Mary Ann May 15, 1938 - Nov 5, 2025 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and mentor, Mary Ann Frances (Bucci) Wilson, on November 5, 2025. She was 87 years old. Mary Ann was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on May 15, 1938, to Italian father, Louis Bucci, and Polish mother, Mary Ann (Butkowska) Bucci. Weighing 3lbs 15oz, she spent her first 2 months in a hospital incubator with her mother praying over her for intercession of the Blessed Mother - no doubt where Mary Ann's devotion to the Blessed Mother began and where seeds were planted for a life of love and service. Mary Ann grew up in Pittsburgh as an only child. She attended St. Adalbert's Catholic School, where she was remembered by classmates as, "Everybody's friend… the sweetest girl with the biggest heart… always ready to lend a helping hand." She participated in an array of school activities, including sports, student government and the journalism club. She learned to tap dance and play the accordion. Mary Ann loved spending time with her Italian relatives on weekends and holidays. As the firstborn from her generation, she was the apple of their eye. Family gatherings were filled with laughter, playing games, and good food… all traditions she later passed on to her own family. After high school, her parents divorced. Her father remarried and gave Mary Ann the gift she had been waiting 20 years for, siblings: Debbie Bucci and Anna Marie (Bucci) Federico. Anna Marie and Mary Ann shared a close relationship as adults and spent countless hours laughing on the phone together. Mary Ann attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, where she met her roommates Nancy Leidich and Jacqueline Bell. They quickly became best friends and have many hilarious stories from their nursing school days about near escapes from the nuns. Their friendships continued to grow and deepen throughout the years. When she graduated from nursing school in 1959, Mary Ann headed for sunny California, where she worked at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. She was profoundly affected by the relationships she developed with her geriatric and post-polio patients. During this time, she met the love of her life – a Marine Corps officer from Spokane, Washington, James Carl Wilson, with whom she shared the motto, "Learn something new every day." Their romance started on the day they met. As fate would have it, Mary Ann's then-fiancé from Pittsburgh forgot her birthday. James swooped in and offered to take her to church. He showed up at her door with a single red rose. The rest is history. They married in late 1960. Mary Ann always dreamt of a big family – 12 children (Cheaper by the Dozen). After Gretchen, Jim, Amy Jo, and Rob were born, she settled on four (much to her husband's delight). In 1969, after James completed two tours in Vietnam, the family moved to the Rocky Mountains outside of Boulder, where James pursued a master's degree at the University of Colorado. The family spent memorable time together skiing and exploring the great outdoors. Upon graduation in 1971, James was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, to resume service as a Marine Corps Major. Less than two months later, he died of a heart attack on a handball court during his lunch hour. With great strength and determination, Mary Ann put her grief aside to make the best life for her children, ages 9, 7, 5 and 2. She moved the family to Spokane, where her husband's parents, Irene and Grover Wilson, helped her buy a home and engage the children in fun activities like boating and fishing on Lake Pend Oreille. From Camp Fire leader to Boy Scout Den Mother, from delicious home-cooked meals to special holiday traditions, Mary Ann poured every fiber of her being into her children and gave them a wonderful childhood. In the mid-1980s, another passion was born in Mary Ann's heart. She used her skills as a nurse and aerobics instructor to create a unique exercise program designed for older adults. With the pioneering support of Spokane's KSPS TV, she launched Sit and Be Fit in 1987. The public television series quickly became a national sensation. For 38 years, Mary Ann has been sharing her knowledge and gentle, encouraging spirit with viewers across the country, guiding people of all ages and abilities toward well-being. She considered it the honor of her lifetime to be welcomed into viewers' homes as their exercise friend. Near and dear to Mary Ann's heart were her 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She supported them in their individual endeavours with encouragement and excitement. Each one was special to her. She glowed at the mere mention of their names. From her first breath to her last, Mary Ann was an ongoing source of inspiration and warmth to many. To her family, she was a steadfast source of mothering, support, prayer, and unconditional love. To her friends and community, she radiated joy and had a rare ability to connect with people, whether in person or through the television screen. Mary Ann leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion and love. We will miss her gentle voice and sweet presence, but take comfort in knowing that she will live on in our hearts forever. Mary Ann is survived by her children, Gretchen Cowan (Rich), Jim Wilson, Amy Jo LeLaCheur (Monte), Rob Wilson (Barb); and her grandchildren, Danilee Keogh (Ryan), Hailey White (Spencer), Emily Paukert (Damon Unland), Parker Wilson (Haley), Gunnar Wilson, Garrett Wilson (Sydney), Micah LeLaCheur (Jaiyla), Jack Paukert (Ally), Luke Wilson, Lorien Wilson, Maddie Wilson, James Wilson; and her great grandchildren, Lila and Crew White, Raylan and Brynlee Keogh, Annie and Harper Wilson. Mary Ann is also survived by her half-sisters, Debbie Bucci and Anna Marie Federico (Frank). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her treasured grandson, Tyler James LeLaCheur. A memorial service will be held for Mary Ann in mid-December. For details call (509) 448-9438. The service will also be streamed online. For information, email sitandbefit@sitandbefit.org. In lieu of flowers, if you'd like to help carry on Mary Ann's mission, please consider donating to her 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Sit and Be Fit. It is our intention to honor her legacy by producing another series, featuring hours of un-aired content. Donations may be sent to: Sit and Be Fit, P.O. Box 8033, Spokane, WA 99203, or made online at www.sitandbefit.org.