Obituary of Mary Ann Widenhouse

Mary Ann Widenhouse, 80, a native of Cherokee, N.C., died peacefully at her home on April 5, 2014. The daughter of Wayne and Nell Tahquette, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank and Howard. She is survived by her sister, Peggy. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Ernest, her daughter, Marian, her son, Ernie, four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and four great grandchildren with another on the way. A three-time breast cancer survivor over a period of 25 years, Mary Ann lived virtually all of those years with zest and vitality, Thanks to those who support the sciences and those who provided her with kind and competent health care. Mary Ann received her B.A. degree with honors from Western Carolina University, did graduate work at Duke University, where she met her husband, and earned a M.A. degree from John Hopkins University. She taught and developed curriculum in the Baltimore City Schools for 14 years, returned to Cherokee where she became Head of the History Department at Cherokee High School, the Principal of the Cherokee Elementary School, and then Superintendent of the Cherokee Schools. She concluded her professional career by working in the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. as Assistant Superintendent of Indian Education. A memorial service for Mary Ann Widenhouse will be held on Friday at 5:00 pm at the Crisp Funeral Home Chapel in Bryson City. The Family will receive friends from 4-5 pm Friday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock NC, 28731. See on-line.