Mary Ann Payne passed away at the age of 101 on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at the Oregon Care Center. She was born on August 10, 2023 in Centralia, Kansas to Virgil Thomas Moore and Cecilia Sophia Koelzer Moore. She was the oldest of seven children. Mary Ann’s parents moved to Forest City, Missouri during her first year of school. There she attended grade school at Chambers, a one-room schoolhouse. After a year at Oregon high school, she worked for her room and board while attending high school at the Convent of Sacred Heart in Saint Joseph, Missouri, where she graduated from high school with honors.
Mary Ann married her childhood sweetheart, Godfrey Alfred Payne. They were married on August 26, 1941 and shared 65 years together. They resided in Holt County most of their lives. They enjoyed trips throughout the United States, trips to South America and numerous fishing trips to Soldotna, Alaska. For years, they wintered as snowbirds in Harlingen, Texas. They also enjoyed going out on Saturday night for dinner and dancing with their friends.
Mary Ann treasured her time with family and grandchildren and had a way of making family occasions extra special. Mary Ann described herself as having a career of being a “happy homemaker.” Family members will remember her delicious homemade apple pies and after school cinnamon rolls and donuts. She had a special talent of using ordinary spices to make everyday food taste gourmet. Whether it was a planned gathering or an impromptu visit, her home was always company ready to host family and friends.
Godfrey was a Navy veteran of World War II and Mary Ann was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of P.E.O., Chapter Z, Oregon, Missouri for over 60 years. Her faith was central to her life and she was a dedicated member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mary Ann leaves behind a legacy of warmth, love, and community spirit that will be treasured by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Godfrey Alfred Payne; grandchild, David Roueche; and sisters, Rachel Cooper, Dorothy Peregrine and Mildred Uehlin.
Mary Ann is survived by her five children: Carolyn Ann Sillman of Oregon, MO, Shirley Ann Roueche, St. Joseph, MO, Godfrey Allen (Lauren) Payne of Harlingen, TX, Cecilia Ann (Jerry) Fink of Oregon, MO, and Glenn Alfred (Teresa) Payne of Oregon, MO. She is also survived by two sisters: Alice McGiness of Skidmore, MO, Virginia Blunt of Effingham, KS, and brother, Gregory Moore of St. Joseph, MO. Other survivors include ten grandchildren: Will (Jayne) Sillman, Mary Ann (Mike) Pruitt, Stephanie (Robert) Haile, Nicolas (Catherine) Roueche, Christine Payne, Tara (Paul) Blaufuss, Brian Fink, Lindsay Payne, Carrie Gregoire, and Aaron (Julianna) Payne; nineteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Family visitation: Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon. Mass of Christian burial: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 10:00 am, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Forest City, Missouri. Interment: Forest City Union Cemetery. Memorials: Forest City Union Cemetery or the South Holt Fire Department.
