- Date Of Birth: July 18, 1934
- Date Of Death: May 2, 2021
- State: Arizona
Scottsdale –With heavy hearts, we must announce MaryAnn Fledderjohn passed away on May 2, 2021. MaryAnn was born in Anderson, Indiana in 1934 to Hilda and Earl Hilligoss. She was the first of two children; her sister Sara currently resides in Indianapolis. MaryAnn is survived by her 4 children Debbie (Pat) Westley, Diane (Jan) Fincham, Dan Fledderjohn, and Laura (Rick) Nichols. She was blessed to have 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
MaryAnn married her Shortridge High School sweetheart, Karl Fledderjohn in 1953 and shared 56 years of marriage. Their first house was in Eagledale, where as a young growing family, they developed lifelong friendships. Their second house was a 70 year old farmhouse on West79th Street, Indianapolis. Mom raised her four children and Dad worked and went to night school and was in constant need to fix things at home. I do not think any of us will forget Dad replacing the historic cast iron basement boiler, in the wee hours of the morning, so he could send hot water thru the radiators for heat. In 1979, Dad accepted a job at the Garrett Turbine Engine Company in Phoenix, AZ – and so our life in Arizona began. After living in a rental off Indian School Road, they purchased their lifelong home on Exeter Boulevard for $34,000 – a steep price after selling the farm house for $13,000. Karl was a self-made man, his certification of the TFE731 fan engine was a monumental accomplishment in the aerospace world. His hard work and dedication paid off, becoming President at Fluid Systems and an Executive at Allied Signal Corporation. Mom and Dad enjoyed travel, golf and social activities at Arizona Country Club and Forest Highlands, for many years. We have missed our Father’s guidance and security for over a decade, we will miss our Mom just as much.
MaryAnn was known for her excellence in the kitchen – whether it be their much anticipated annual Super Bowl parties, magnificent Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, or simply her everyday delicious home cooked meals. She was a Midwest natural for preparing exceptional food, she defined the “hostess with the mostess”!
MaryAnn also had an incredible eye for fashion. She managed the Bridal department at Sakowitz for a number of years. She coordinated 100’s of weddings and helped many beautiful brides down the aisle. She was an avid and skilled bridge player, hosting weekly card games at their long time home in Arcadia. She was also an active member of Valley Presbyterian Church for a number of years, and Cooks Tour was an annual highlight of her dedication to faith. MaryAnn was also an incredible needlepointer – among our greatest treasures are the oversized Christmas stockings she created. She spent thousands of hours with needle and thread in hand – each piece is truly a work of art.
We are so blessed to have had a dedicated and loving Mother, may she rest in peace.
