MARY ANN (NEE CRABB) RUMBO (February 1, 1928-October 4, 2024) passed away in Towson, Maryland. She was the mother of Rebecca (David Stern), Mary Claire Storey (Doug), and Clinton Rumbo (Karen); grandmother of Nathan Storey (Zara Day), Elena Storey (Justin Camejo), Joshua Stern, Katie Rumbo, and Christopher Rumbo; great-grandmother of Jaan Day Storey.

Mary Ann—born Maxine Cartwright—was adopted at age 3 by Clinton E. and Bessie E. Crabb and lived in Breckenridge, Texas. She loved her adoptive parents, but never stopped wondering about her origins. Through DNA research, she was delighted to discover part of her birth family when she was 90 years old.

Feeling a calling to the profession of nursing, she trained at the Seton School of Nursing in Austin, Texas. She met and married Noble Rumbo, the love of her life, when he worked as the elevator operator at Seton Hospital. She worked as a nurse while he was in medical school in Galveston, Texas.

Mary Ann continued her education, earning a BS in Nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1969. She worked for the Visiting Nurse Association of Dallas for several years. Later, she completed a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Dallas, with a focus on Renaissance Art History. She was never without a book to read.

Before they established a permanent home in Richardson, Texas, they lived in Portsmouth, Virginia; Tahoka, Texas; and O'Donnell, Texas.

She was an active volunteer for church and civic organizations, including the Richardson Symphony Orchestra Guild; Richardson Woman's Club; Friends of the Richardson Public Library; and in a variety of roles supporting All Saints Catholic Church in North Dallas.

Throughout her life, she loved nature. She was a dedicated gardener, and loved the beautiful fall colors of the Rocky Mountains. The Texas Longhorns football team was always close to her heart. Her children frequently contributed to her collection of potato mashers, in hopes that some day she might finally produce something besides Elmer's Glue for Thanksgiving dinner.

Mary Ann was a friend to many, including her nursing school class, neighbors, and folks she met in the course of her activities. She listened carefully and thoughtfully to all of them, including her children's friends, who always felt welcomed and accepted at her table.

As a grandmother —"Gaga"— she created imaginative stories about friendly ghosts, fairy gardens, and wildlife photographers. Grandchildren were welcome in her kitchen for baking lessons and creating great works of refrigerator art.

Mary Ann was a survivor: feisty, faithful, devoted, generous, and a Texan through and through.

Donations in her memory may be sent to any of the organizations she served. The family will gather at a later date to celebrate her 96 years.

Please remember Mary Ann by signing her guestbook.