MARY ANN BOWERS (née Burns)

3/7/1942 – 12/14/2024

Another angel has received her wings.

Mary Ann Bowers, beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, and wife of 62 years to Edmund Wallace Bowers, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on December 14, 2024. Mary Ann was born in Newark, NJ to Michael and Florence Rose (LaMorte) Burns. Mary Ann graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School in 1960, 2 years after her family relocated to Bay Head, NJ. She married the love of her life, Ed, after a whirlwind courtship on May 12, 1962. Ed knew God answered prayers when he met Mary Ann.  

Mary Ann is survived by her adoring husband, Ed (Southport, NC), and her 3 children: Edmund Michael Bowers and his wife Debbie, and grandsons Michael and Eddy (Delaplane, VA); Barbara Ann McMurray and her husband Scott (Myrtle Beach, SC); and Catherine Mae Bowers (Oak Island, NC); her sisters, Johanna Duggan (Brick, NJ) and Angela Polhemus (Brick, NJ); and her beloved Bishon Frise, Mandy.

Mary Ann was the definition of a “Superwoman.” From her parents’ humble Italian and Irish heritage, Mary Ann was instilled with a strong work ethic. While taking care of her family full time, Mary Ann continued to work 2 jobs and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgian Court College with a Master’s degree in childhood special education – earning straight A’s in the process. She was a special education teacher at Nellie Bennet Elementary School in Point Pleasant, NJ for 25 years and treasured employee of Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty for over 40 years. Mary Ann and Ed moved to their current home in St. James Plantation in Southport, NC in 2002 and have enjoyed their retirement years together, loving each other unconditionally.

Mary Ann was a true partner to Ed in every aspect of their married life together, helping to build their family home in Point Pleasant, in addition to a second home in Chittenden, VT. Ed used his Marine Corps. term of “Gung Ho,” meaning, to work together, to describe their special partnership.

Mary Ann was a competitive tennis player during her active retirement years, captaining her St. James Women’s tennis team to state final championship tournaments.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, NC. Mary Ann enjoyed memorable travels to Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland and Italy. She was an avid reader and participated in book clubs and Bible Studies. She believed in angels.    She loved the beach and her cherished Bichons.

But, most of all, she loved her family.

The family is comforted in the knowledge that, while Mary Ann may be gone from her earthly home, she has gone ahead to prepare a place for her family in God’s heavenly mansion.

The family is planning a celebration of Mary Ann’s life in the Spring 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare and Alzheimer's research organizations.