Obituary: Mary Ann Wells

GLENVIEW, IL — Mary Ann Wells (nee Strong), 88, was born on February 14, 1933. Raised in Glenview, she attended New Trier High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin -Madison with her degree in Education.

Sister of Tina Schmidt of Coronado, CA, and cherished mother of Susanne (Susie) Krasberg and Patricia (Patty) Winkler, she was also the proud grandmother of Jeremy Winkler, Caitlin Nettleton, and Sarah Lassiter. Mary Ann passed away on January 24, 2022, in North Richland Hills, Texas where she lived close to her daughter, Patty.

Mary Ann taught for over 30 years, including 17 years as a sixth-grade teacher at Hoffman Elementary in Glenview. Mary Ann was deeply involved in her teaching, her students, and her colleagues. While teaching Mary Ann returned to school to earn a Master’s Degree in Mathematics to enhance her teaching, served as a Glenview Education Association representative, and brought the world to her students by planning many of her trips to the countries her class would study, enriching lessons with stories, pictures, and artifacts of each country, it’s history, people and culture.

Upon retirement, Mary Ann and her husband Frank Wells moved to Bradenton, Fla., where they lived close to Mary Ann’s mother, Elizabeth Strong, as well as her aunt and uncle, James and Charlotte Strong. She became an active golfer, serving as president of the Niners and often their annual champion, an avid bridge player, and served as a board member of the El Conquistador Golf Club and as a deacon for her church. What pleased her most were her ongoing travels to visit her daughters and their families, no matter where in the world.

The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11 in the Glenview Community Church at 100 Elm Street.

Mary Ann was a Child Sponsor for Save the Children for over 20 years. Donations to Save the Children can be made online.