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IN MEMORY OF
Mary Ann Moss Hicks
Her bright light came into this world 62 years ago today in Gastonia, NC as the only daughter of Clyde and Elizabeth Robinson Moss. She lost a 3-year battle with cancer November 9, 2004 at her VanWyck, SC home.
Mary Ann developed an interpretive nature trail for TreeTops Youth Camp. We will remember her as a skilled pianist, poet, artist, and avid birdwatcher, who found great joy in her passions. As a graduate of East Carolina University, she garnered respect designing computer programs for NCNB, Celanese and HSO Business Systems. A selfless wife to Howard and loving mother to Mason, she also leaves to mourn their loss her brothers and their wives, Dan and Doris Moss of York, SC; Ed and Linda Moss of Old Hickory, TN; Alan and Paulette Moss of Taylors, SC; daughter-in-law, Claire Hicks and beloved granddaughters Dominique and Julia of Roswell, GA. She will be greatly missed by her aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many cherished friends. We take comfort in knowing she is now surrounded by God's glory, with her parents and her brother, Clyde Moss, Jr. She left a legacy of beautiful memories for all who loved her.
Mary Ann was rememembered at a private memorial service held November 11.
(Obituary courtesy of Beverly Riley Marlow)
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Beverly Riley (Marlow)
What you read above is a memorial tribute I wrote and had published in the Charlotte Observer on her birthday just a week or so after her death because no obituary was published. The photograph was made the day before she left for Louisiana for her final hospital stay. I felt a death notice should be issued for those who were unaware she'd been fighting for her life for over 3 years. Marianne - changed from Mary Ann- was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer and probably did more research than her doctors for the sole purpose of prolonging her life. She bravely allowed herself to participate in various trial studies - all of which were lengthy and extrememly painful. She never lost her fighting spirit, so it was no surprise to learn that only hours before her death, she told her family that she "still had things to do."
Marianne and I had known each other since 'sandbox days'; our parents were friends; our fathers both worked at Firestone; our mothers shopped together for our school clothes and our families sometimes vacationed at the same location. We walked to and from Abernethy Elementary school together and each time we were asked if we were sisters - I always wanted to say YES!YES!YES! I never had a sister, nor did she - but she is the one I would have chosen. Her loss leaves an emptiness - but the memories we shared are countless. If you knew her at all, you miss her too. This 50th reunion was one of her goals. Green was her favorite color - wonder why?
Jenny Lynn Schneider (Bern)
I met Marianne for the first time at Wray Jr. High. We became fast friends, and our friendship lasted throughout both of our lifetimes. Each time we were together throughout the years, it was like time had stopped and we, again, fell into this confortable, warm friendship.
I did not graduated from Ashley, and finished my Senior Year, graduated, and went on to college. After moving to California, I lost track of all my Gastonia friends for many years. Marianne found me via my cousin, Alan Witten, contacted me, and again we renewed our close friendship. She invited me to the 35th reunion and that's how I, again got back in touch with the wonderful people I had know since kindergarten.
Marianne was such a warm, loving, and beautiful person. She added humor and fun to any one or group she was with. She loved nature, "birding" as she called it and traveled all over the world to see unique and beautiful birds. We met up in San Diego one year while she was "birding" there. She found such joy and peace in nature and remained the genuine good, loving, and creative person she had always beem.
I loved her as a person, girlfriend, and human being. Few people have touch me like she did. I'm eternally grateful that the memories I have of her will always be with me forever.