Mary Ann Mahoney of Arvada, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on February 17, 2020, from lung disease. She taught physical education and coached at Westminster High School, retiring in 1985.
Mary Ann was born in Hays, Kansas, to Joseph Martin Mahoney and Marie Cecelia Antoinette Pivonka on July 25, 1932. She graduated from high school in Russell, Kansas and received her BS from the University of Kansas in 1954 and her MS from the University of Colorado in 1970.
A trailblazer in girls interscholastic sports, Mary Ann received The Sportswomen of Colorado Dorothy Mauk Pioneer award in 1984. She was a USA Gymnastics Brevet Judge and was inducted into the Colorado USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. She was delegation leader for the USA in World and Olympic competitions and she served as Regional Administrative Chair and went on to serve as National Administrative Chair for the Junior Olympic Program. In 1996 she helped direct the John Hancock Tour of World Gymnastics Champions during its 34-city tour. In 2010, she was honored for her 35 years of service by the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges.
Mary Ann loved World War II history, classic movies and old TV shows such as Castle and Murder She Wrote. Saving many family heirlooms, she rescued and restored them to their original glory. When she saw a need for floor exercise mats and bar protectors, she started her own company to provide them to the growing gymnastics community. She had a great laugh and loved hearing and telling a good clean joke, Irish or not! She attended all the summer Olympics games since the 1968 games in Mexico. She enjoyed travel in Europe and was especially fond of Ireland. She was a devoted sister, aunt, friend and teacher.
Mary Ann is survived by her sister Kathy Dunn of Stillwater, Oklahoma and a brother, Tim (Joyce) Mahoney of Wichita, Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Joey and John and her sister Marj Dusay (by only nineteen days) and nephews Randall Dusay and Stanley Tenan. Mary Ann was a member of The Shrine of St Anne Catholic Parish.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.