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OBITUARY

Mary Ann Maceli (Mamu)

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Mary Ann Maceli (Mamu), 85, of Frontenac, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at Via Christi Hospital.
Mary Ann was born Nov. 12, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Harry and Mary Louise (King) Hill. She was born and raised in Trussville, Alabama. Mary Ann 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, age 5, Heidi, 4, Joe, 2, and Hillary, nine 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. The combined children were Ingrid, 10, Heidi, 9, Joe, 8, Scott, 7, Hillary, 5, and 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 to 2022. Mary Ann expanded the business, adding Fancy Goods Antique Store. She loved working at the pawnshop, and she made many friends over the years. Mary Ann never knew a stranger. She loved to talk, and her mother said her first words at eight months old were "Hi, there." Mary Ann would never leave home without her hair done or lipstick on, and 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, Scott (Cynthia Grassie) Maceli of Seattle, Washington, Hillary (Brian) White of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Jess Maceli of Lawrence, Kansas; 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 and Theo Corn; one nephew, Zac Alexander; and 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 Heid Boyles; and two grandchildren, Joshua Friskel and Ashley Harry.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, at 11 a.m. 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 the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, Kansas.