of Chelsea, Michigan, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Chelsea Hospital. She was born December 22, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Wilbur H. and Abbie S. (Reed) Hanson. The pillars that mom’s life stood upon were her faith, her family, service to others and teaching.
Mary Ann attended Hillsdale schools growing up and moved to Chelsea in 1959, graduating from Chelsea High School in 1962. She went on to Michigan State University to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She spent her entire teaching career in the Eaton Rapids Public School System. Mary Ann was a much loved classroom teacher at Lockwood Elementary, however, she is best remembered for her fifteen plus years as a highly skilled reading instructor at Union Street Elementary.
Mary Ann and Ron made their home in rural Eaton County, near Dimondale, where they raised their family in the home they helped build. This small farm setting provided many lifelong lessons and volumes of hilarious stories for the family. After being Florida ‘snowbirds’ for many years, they finally settled back down where their love story began, in Chelsea.
Mary Ann was actively involved in the community through many groups and associations including the Chelsea Garden Club, the Mid-Michigan Street Rod Club, 4-H and the Bible study group at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. Through the Chelsea Garden Club she helped to beautify various flowerbeds around town. Mary Ann was known as ‘The Sunshine Lady’ in the street rod club as she would send cards of support to members who were experiencing life’s joys and sorrows. By bringing communion to patients at the Chelsea Community Center she brought comfort to the infirm. Mary Ann was a social butterfly and made friends everywhere she went.
Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ronald Warren; her favorite son, Kevin (Shirley) Warren of Nashville, Michigan; her extraordinary brother, James Hanson of Northville; and her three remarkable grandchildren, Kirk Putnam III, Kraig (Sarah) Putnam and Konnor Putnam of Hillsdale. She was preceded in death by her beautiful daughter, Kristin Townsend-Warren (formerly Putnam) of Hillsdale.
A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026, 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea. The family will receive friends Friday, June 19, at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, before the service from 10 - 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillsdale County Community Foundation - Kristin Townsend Warren Grant Fund or the Chelsea Area Garden Club, c/o Mary Randolph, 18840 Bush Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118.
Mary Ann is dearly loved and missed by her family.
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