Mary Ann Fisher Foell, 68, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.

Mary Ann was born on the Naval Weapons Station in the Dispensary in Lackey, Virginia, March 26, 1949. She grew up on Cook Road in a house on property that is now the Crooks United Methodist Church parking lot. When Mary Ann was 13 years old, the Fisher family moved to the new Edgehill subdivision and this is where Forrest and Mary Fisher remained as York County residents until their deaths in 1982 and 2005, respectively. Mary Ann is also predeceased by her husband, Eric J. Foell, and her siblings: Martin Fisher and his wife Patricia; Sharon Fisher Horn and Gerald Fisher. 

Mary Ann is survived by her son, Michael Vaden; her stepchildren, Bryan and Christina Foell; her brother-in-law, O.J. Horn; many nieces and nephews; countless friends.

Mary Ann attended Yorktown Elementary on Ballard Street, and then York High School, graduating in 1967, the greatest graduating class there ever was! Mary Ann attended Averett College, now a university, in Danville, Virginia, from 1969-1973. Her son, Michael, was born during this time, in 1972. She returned to the Yorktown area by 1974. 

Mary Ann began working at VIMS in 1975 as a laboratory technician specializing in ichthyoplankton research. While there she began drafting work for the Dept. of Fisheries in a variety of capacities. Mary Ann and Eric met in 1975 while they both worked at VIMS. He was a graduate student at the time, working on his Ph.D. in Marine Oceanography. They married and moved to Gloucester in 1981 and remained residents of Gloucester until their passing. 

Her drafting abilities led her to the Gloucester Court House area in 1983 where she began a job with Dawson and Phillips Land Surveyors, followed by Sutton and James Land Surveying and Engineering Firm, now known as AES. Subsequently, she worked for Robert Buckley Land Surveying in White Stone, Virginia, and various other part-time jobs. Mary Ann retired in 2005 and devoted her time to various volunteer organizations.

Near and dear to Mary Ann’s heart was the Golden Jubilee celebration at York High School, which took place in 2004. A charter member of the York High Alumni Association, Mary Ann remained a vital part until shortly before her passing. Mary Ann was an avid gardener, bird watcher and mushroom seeker. She loved to cook, especially ethnic cuisine, and invitations to her home for meals were never turned down. Mary Ann was also very artistic; her colored pencil and pastel works are coveted by family and friends. 

A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will take place at St. Joan of Arc Church, Yorktown, on Feb. 3 at 11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Miguel Melendez conducting. A reception to follow at the Edgehill Clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ann’s memory can be made to your favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton.