Mary Ann Stewart

Born in Seventy-Six, Missouri February 2, 1940 to John and Katherine Schneier, Mary Ann was the youngest of 11 children. Mary Ann began working at the age of 14 as a nurse’s aide in Cape Girardeau and attended Southeast Missouri State before moving to St. Louis. 

At Washington University, Mary Ann met dental student Kim Stewart in an oral pathology class. The two fell in love and were married on August 20, 1966. In 1972, after a three-year stint in the Army in West Germany, Mary Ann, Kim, daughter Melissa and son Sean settled in Washington, Missouri. 

The couple started a dental practice with Mary Ann serving as office manager. They built long-lasting friendships in the small community with the Kings, the Downards, the Pogues and others, spending many holidays and other occasions at each other’s homes enjoying great food, drink and laughs. 

The Stewarts moved to Tucson in 1981 and opened their dental practice, eventually settling at 1607 W. Ina Rd. for over 20 years. They quickly met new friends in Tucson through church, their new dental practice and Kim’s involvement in the Casas Adobes Rotary. Mary Ann and Kim became fast friends with families like the Coopers, the Gerbers, the Heaters, the Ulrichs, the Unruhs, the Goldmans and the Kirkpatricks. 

When health issues forced Kim to retire in 2007, Mary Ann hired three contract dentists and, with the help of their staff (Willow, Jessie and Karen), kept the family practice going for several years. 

Mary Ann nurtured her family, friends and the family’s dogs (Penny, Lady, Keli, Bea and Kayc) with kindness, support, love and an unwavering positive outlook. Mary Ann showered her kids with tight, lengthy hugs. She fostered Melissa’s passion for culinary pursuits and while attending Sean’s basketball games at Canyon del Oro with Kim, she could be heard, as her son stepped to the free-throw line, “You can do it, honey!” 

She was an incredibly gifted cook, having learned from her mother, who baked 12 loaves of bread a day for her family. Mary Ann enjoyed going to the movies with her family, listening to Kenny Rogers and Garth Brooks and watching TV shows like the nightly news, M*A*S*H, Dallas, General Hospital, Dancing with the Stars and NCIS: New Orleans. She was wild about her Cats as a U of A fan for more than 40 years. 

Mary Ann is survived by daughter Melissa, son Sean, sisters-in-law Ginny Schneier and Nancy Cline, brother-in-law Barney Cline and several cousins, nephews and nieces. 

People who loved Mary Ann might want to contribute to organizations close to her heart:

Planned Parenthood (weareplannedparenthood.org), to help restore abortion access. 

Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZwildlifehero.com). With limited funding sources, this organization relies on wildlife enthusiasts to achieve their mission. Donations will go toward on-the-ground conservation work and with your support, they can continue to use the best available science to ensure Arizona’s 800 plus species are here for future generations. 

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (hssaz.org), saving your future best friend since 1944. See the “in memory of" option.