Maryann Vance, age 63, of Crestview, passed away Friday, January 22. She was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1957 and moved to Crestview in 1988 from Virginia. Mary Ann proudly served in the USAF. After moving to Crestview she worked with Santa Rosa County, retiring as a GSI Analyst. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and bunco, cooking, baking, gardening, and she loved going to the pool. She was excited having the property to garden and having farm animals and being able to can fruit, and making mats for the homeless. Maryann was proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years Sylvester Vance, a son Mike Vance (LeeAnne), her grand daughters Lakelyn & Kaylee, 2 brothers Tony & Vito and 3 foster sisters Sandy, Donna & Angie along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and many loyal friends.
A Celebration of her life will be held at 6:00PM, Tuesday, January 26, from the Chapel of Brackney Funeral Service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Mary Ann will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Delores Johnson (Friend)
January 23, 2021, 12:00 am
My heart is broken, and goes out to you Sylvester, Mike, and the rest of her family. I’m so thankful for all the memories I had a chance to make with her over the years, and consider myself blessed to be called her friend. God Bless and keep you all. She will be in our hearts forever.
Kathy D Allen (Family)
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
I’m sending my condolences to her entire family. I am sorry to hear about Maryanns passing. She will be missed by so many that had the pleasure of meeting her. She was an still is Loved by all the family & friends she had the pleasure of meeting through out her life. Prayers comin ur way Sylvester, Mike Her Daughter In Law & Grandkids.
Kathy D Allen (Family)
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
I am sending prayers to Maryann’s families. I am sorry to hear of her passing. Maryann will be missed By everyone that has had to chance to meet her. She was a sweet & Loving person. RIP & Fly High Maryann. Sendin my luv to Sylvester, Mike, her Daughter-In-Law & her grandkids.
MELANY LINDSAY (Friend )
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
I am at a loss of words. MaryAnn was a true friend of mine.
I met MaryAnn when I first went to work. I love her and will miss her very much. Thank you Sylvester & Mike for letting me be part of the family My prayers are for all! I love each of you!
Mary Harper (Friend/co-worker)
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
My heart goes out to the Vance family. I am very sorry for your loss. She was a great friend and leader for our work family at Okaloosa GIS. I appreciated her friendship and being a part of her life even after I moved away. She was an inspiration to me, and I will miss her greatly.
Elaine Courtney (Friend )
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
So sad to hear about Mary Anne. She was such a wonderful woman. Fond memories of times together. My sympathies and prayers for comfort for Sylvester,Mike and family
Margaret Grant (Cousin)
January 24, 2021, 12:00 am
Sincere condolences Tony, Vito, Sylvester, and Mike. I will miss Maryann’s messages to me during hurricane season. So glad I reconnected with her on Facebook. Praying your memories of her will give you comfort. Margaret Popp Grant.
Dan Sambenedetto (Friend/Coworker)
January 25, 2021, 12:00 am
I am shocked and saddened to hear about Mary Ann. We worked together for many years at Okaloosa County and remained friends after she left. She was such a sweet person. My heartfelt condolences go out to Sylvester, Mike and the rest of the family. My family is praying for your family. She will be forever remembered and greatly missed.
Mary Jane Palasz (Friend)
January 25, 2021, 12:00 am
I will miss Mary Ann something terrible. I have know you for a short time and you became like family to me. Prayers for you Sylvester and Mike and Lee Anne and the girls. I know she loved you all so much.
Karen Popp Shane (Cousin)
January 25, 2021, 12:00 am
My deepest condolences to Sylvester, Mike and the entire family. I will miss hearing from Mary Ann about what she discovered about our ancestry. She really enjoyed researching this and I am thankful for her sharing with me.
“As some people journey through life, they leave footprints of kindness and love, courage and compassion, joy and faith. Even when they're gone, the trail they've left behind continues to inspire us.”
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. –Thomas Campbell
May God grant peace and comfort to your family during these difficult times.
Don Vanderhoek (Friend/coworker)
January 26, 2021, 12:00 am
Mary Ann and I worked together for many years in Okaloosa County. she was a wonderful person with a great heart. Her leadership and technical abilities help to pave the GIS way in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County’s. I am so very thankful of the time I had with her and I know her beautiful spirit lives on. My sincere condolences to Sylvester, Mike and all of the family.
Darlene Robbins (Friend)
January 26, 2021, 12:00 am
Mary Ann was such a beautiful soul and will be missed greatly.
Donna Lawler (Friend)
January 27, 2021, 12:00 am
I read once “To have a friend, you have to be a friend”. Mary Ann has many friends. Family, coworkers, Bunco ladies, sewing groups and Pool Aerobic classmates are just some of whom counted her as a friend. Real friendships developed, not just casual acquaintances, that lasted for decades. She had a great sense of humor, was good, kind, honest and thoughtful. Her moral compass was true and would let you know with “that ain’t right”. Mary Ann will be forever missed but never forgotten.
Sylvester, Mike, LeeAnne, Lakelyn and Kaylee take comfort in that she was loved by so many, but she loved you most of all.
Isabelle Hendershot
September 21, 2021, 1:05 am
I miss Mary Ann. She was the friendliness, kindest, honest person that I had ever met. We became friends from the pool. I’m one of the Pool Girls.!! My husband got cancer, Mary Ann told me what I needed to do try to get him better. She helped me get thru it and I lost him in October. She helped me get thru some of my grieving and the funeral. She was by my side. She made meals for us. I miss your smiling face and your kind heart. Thank you for everything you did for me and my family.