Mary Ann Maceli

Mary Ann Maceli (Mamu), 85, of Frontenac, passed awayThursday, December 22, 2022 at Via Christi Hospital.

Mary Ann was born November 12,1937 in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Harry and Mary Louise (King) Hill. Mary Ann was born and raised in Trussville Alabama, she graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1956. In 1957, she married her first love, Robert Joseph, “Bobby” Alexander in Alabama. They both attended Auburn University College in Alabama. Mary Ann and Bobby had four children by 1962. In 1963, Mary Ann lost bobby in a tragic car accident, leaving her widowed at the young age of 25, with her four children, Ingrid-5, Heidi-4, Joe-2, and Hillary-9 months old.

She then moved to Huntsville, Alabama where she met her forever love, Philip R. Maceli. Philip was a widow with two young children, Scott and Jess. Philip and Mary Ann wed on June 15, 1968. Combined children were Ingrid 10, Heidi 9 Joe 8, Scott 7, Hillary 5 Jess 4. Philip survives currently residing at Via Christi Assisted Living.

Philip and Mary Ann moved around due to Philips’s job with NASA, the family settled in Philip’s hometown of Frontenac, and made it their forever home. Mary Ann lived in Kansas for fifty years, but she was truly a southern bell. Philip and Mary Ann owned and operated Easy Money Pawn Shop from 1978-2022. Mary Ann expanded the business, adding Fancy Goods Antique Store. She loved working at the pawnshop, she made many friends over the years. Mary Ann never knew a stranger, she loved to talk, her mother said her first words at 8 months old were “Hi There.”. Mary Ann would never leave home without her hair done or lipstick on, she always looked so classy.
Above all, Mary Ann loved being “Mamu” (named by the first grandchild Joshua Friskel), even kids who weren’t her grandchildren would call her Mamu. Mamu loved to brag about being there for every grandchild’s birth and loved to remind them. Mamu referred to her grandchildren as her “precious children”, she had a special bond with each one.
Mary Ann’s other hobbies included, playing bridge with her dear circle of friends, and in her later years having zoom calls with her childhood friends, “The Big 14” from Alabama.

Survivors include her husband, Philip of the home; a brother, James (Stephanie) Alexander, her children, Joe Alexander of Frontenac, KS, Scott (Cynthia Grassie) Maceli of Seattle, WA, Hillary (Brian) White of Spring Hill, KS, and Jess Maceli of Lawrence, KS. Thirteen grandchildren, Tiffany (Bryce) McFarland, Alexis (Andrew Roberts) Friskel, Whitney (Sean) Moore, Emma (Levi) Lehman, Katie (Alex) Bulk, Elizabeth Harber, Russell (Teddi) White, Jacob Boyles, Lauren Maceli, Natalie Maceli, Bree Carr, Roman Maceli and Taylor Wiles.

Ten great-grandchildren, Brayln and Graycn McFarland, Iona and Maeve Roberts, Cason and Kinlee Moore, Haddie and Luke Lehman, Anderson Bulk and Theo Corn. One nephew, Zac Alexander, a special cousin who meant so much to her, Penny (Scotty) Marcum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Mary Louise Hill, her late husband, Bobby Alexander, two daughters, Ingrid Carr and Heidi Boyles, two grandchildren, Joshua Friskel and Ashley Harry.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Brenner Mortuary. Burial will take place at a later date. The family suggests memorials to Dream Big Little One Association www.donatebeds.com Arrangements are under direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E 4th St. Pittsburg, KS 66762
 

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