Mary Ann Maher-Edgin

Mary Ann Maher-Edgin (November 28, 1953–January 29, 2022) of Bellaire, formerly of Troy, Michigan passed away peacefully after a valiant battle with Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA) , at the Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, Michigan.

She is mourned by her loving husband of 29 years, Gregory (Greg) Edgin; children Joseph (Sarah) of Grandville, Michigan and Kathleen (Nicholas Krajewski) of Newnan, Georgia; grandsons Camden, Noah, and Declan Edgin; sisters Patricia (David Drake), Judith (Ralph Balestriere), Jeanne Maher, and Katherine (Andrew Dwan); nine nieces and nephews, six great nieces and nephews; along with many cousins, and a community of friends.  She also leaves behind her golden retriever buddy, Douglas “Big Butt” MacArthur.

Mary Ann grew up in Metropolitan Detroit, the daughter of the late Dr. Joseph and Joyce (Campau) Maher. She dedicated her life to education, receiving dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Boston College, Magna Cum Laude, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Michigan. She later obtained an Educational Specialist Degree in K-12 Education Administration from Michigan State University. During her 35-year teaching career with Lake Orion Community Schools, she touched the lives of over 7,000 middle school students.  Her greatest joy was seeing a student being successful and learning a new idea or concept in her class. 

Mary Ann’s final accomplishment was her courageous battle with PCA, a very rare form of younger-onset Dementia.  After struggling through a 2 ½ year period of many, many doctors’ visits and tests, to find a diagnosis, Mary Ann fought against the ravages of the disease for almost five years, before finally losing her battle.  PCA first stole Mary Ann’s sight, and eventually her mind, but occasionally left small glimpses into the Mary Ann of the past, with a fond memory or story bringing a beautiful smile to her face. 

The family asks that you remember Mary Ann, not for the way she died, but for the way she lived, with her beautiful blue eyes shining, her ready smile, and her eagerness to help anyone in need.  In Mary Ann’s continuing quest for education, she has donated her brain to Mayo Clinic for research into PCA and for educational opportunities on this terrible condition.

Arrangements are being entrusted to the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes, with visitation from 1-4 pm on Saturday, February 5^th.  A brief service will be held at 3:45pm. 

In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family requests that you consider a contribution to the Bellaire Youth Initiative, P.O. Box 385, Bellaire, MI 49615 in Mary Ann’s name, in order to support after-school initiatives for the students of Bellaire. 

We invite you to sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com