MARY ANN NORTIER

12/8/1932 - 7/17/2022 Vacaville

Mary Ann, a 60-year resident of Vacaville, passed away at the age of 89 after a brief illness. She was born the second of three children to George Weisbrod and Pearl Hudelson in Modesto, CA.

Mary Ann attended San Jose State University and graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy. While a student there, she was crowned ‘Miss Football,’ and was a proud member of Chi Omega sorority.

In 1955, she married Art Nortier. They eloped in Sparks, Nevada. This union lasted for 66 years, until they died six days apart.

In 1960, Mary Ann and Art moved from their small apartment in Oakland to a 35-acre ranch in rural Vacaville. It came with a small house, a barn, a tractor, and a horse named Figuero.

Mary Ann was an artist, and experimented with a variety of mediums over the years, including acrylics, oils, pastels, charcoal, ceramics, and ultimately her favorite, watercolors. She loved to share her love of art, and was instrumental in establishing the Vacaville Art League and Gallery in 1965. She continued to show her work there, and at other galleries in the area throughout her life.

Mary Ann was active in the community and often referred to herself as a ‘professional volunteer’. In addition to sharing her love of art, she shared her vast knowledge of the flora and fauna in our local landscape as a docent at Jepson Prairie Preserve. She also loved to share the beauty of her ranch with friends and family. Mary Ann was a great cook, and made every occasion feel special with games, party favors, and activities.

Mary Ann was a voracious reader, and music fan. She especially loved opera, and held season tickets for the SF opera for many years. She stayed active throughout her life as an avid swimmer, skier, and tennis player, a regular at the gym until her late 80s, and she walked every day.

Each day on her walk, she made a point to discover a ‘miracle’—sometimes it was a flower, maybe a lizard, a snail, a crow, or a cloud. She appreciated the little things, and often reminded us that they are actually the big things. Her capacity for joy and gratitude is one of the priceless gifts she leaves behind for her family and friends.

Even after her ranch burned in the LNU fire in 2020, Mary Ann continued to approach life like a great adventure with curiosity and generosity. Mary Ann gave to many charities and especially favored those that support animals and the environment, such as the Solano Land Trust, Save the Redwoods League, and the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue.

Mary Ann was survived by her husband Art, for six days after her death. She was preceded in death by her son Bix Nortier. She is survived by her daughter Nicole Nortier, son-in-law Dan Tilly, and her beloved grandchildren Tristan and Cassiel Nortier-Tilly. To say she is missed is an understatement, but her memory reminds us to look for a ‘miracle’ every day and think of her.