Mary Ann Pervier

Mary Ann (Gifford) Pervier, 84

Worcester - Mary Ann Pervier died peacefully on September 12, 2018, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was 84.

Born in Minneapolis, MN. and raised in Houston, TX., Mary Ann came to love New England as a graduate of Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, MA. There she won the President's Cup, the highest student honor given for

academic achievement and community involvement. She attended Rice Institute in Houston and the American Conservatory of Music at Fontainebleau in France.

She worked for Pine Manor as an Admissions Representative and in Houston for Tenneco, but it was in Worcester that she had her biggest professional impact as the Director of Volunteer Services at The Memorial Hospital from 1972-1979.

Music and singing were her passion. A featured soloist in the Worcester region for years, she sang with Chorus Pro Musica in Boston, the Worcester Music Festival, the Worcester Chorus, the Ashby Oratorio Singers, the Holy Cross Glee Club, the First Parish Unitarian Church, Temple

Sinai, Chestnut Street Congregational Church and Leicester Federated Church.

Mary Ann embraced and helped create the cultural scene in her new hometown and with energy and a collaborative spirit she transformed the opera scene in New England. She was the first President of Opera Worcester, Inc. which was founded in 1973 and brought professional performances to Worcester until June of 2015. She also served on the Board of the Worcester Community Concert Association and founded the Guild of the Salisbury Lyric opera.

Mary Ann was involved with Mary Kay Cosmetics for fifteen years, ten of those at the Director level. Her business was given national recognition for her ability to recruit, train, motivate and support women of all backgrounds.

She was predeceased by former husbands; William W. Knight, III and Henry C. Horner, Esq. and her brother George.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Pervier, her sister Nancy DeShazo of Houston, TX., her two sons; James A. Knight, II of Marion, MA. And John G. Knight of Denver, CO. and their families and a multitude of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

There are no calling hours.

A Memorial Service to Honor Mary Ann will be Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11 AM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving St., Worcester. A Reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please support a choral music program in your local area in order to honor and share Mary Ann's joy of song.

The ROBERT J. MILLER-CHARLTON FUNERAL HOME, 175 Old Worcester Rd. is honored to be assisting Mary Ann's family with arrangements.

To leave a message of condolence, or to share a memory of Mary Ann, please visit: RJMillerfunerals.net