Mariann B.L. Findley
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Mariann Beatrice Lomax Findley was born on Dec. 7, 1926, in Seattle to Beatrice Winifred MacPherson Lomax and Arthur Gunton Lomax.
She passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society in Hot Springs Village, Ark.
Mariann grew up in Seattle and was a Golden Graduate of Roosevelt High School in 1944. She went to University of Washington, graduating with a degree in education in 1948 and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Mariann taught English and Physical Education in the Concrete and Seattle school systems.
Mariann met her husband, Howard Malcolm Findley Jr., when they were 16 years old, and she sold him a tie while working at Frederick and Nelson Department Store. They were married on June 12, 1949, in Medina, Wash., with Judge Howard M. Findley Sr., father of the groom, officiating. The Findleys moved to Barrington, Ill., where they raised their four children to love swimming, ice skating and the Chicago Cubs. Mariann and Howard moved to Dallas before retiring to Hot Springs Village, Ark., where she rooted for the Razorbacks for 30 years.
Mariann was the ultimate volunteer. She taught reading to adult patients at Elgin State Hospital, Sunday school at Barrington Methodist Church and tutored Jessieville High School students in reading. She also served as the charter secretary for the Buehler YMCA in Palatine, Ill. Always knitting, Mariann made hats for newborn babies in Haiti in addition to outfitting family and friends with cherished mittens, sweaters and blankets.
Mariann was a charter member and served as president, vice president and secretary of the philanthropic organization PEO International Chapter CR of Arkansas. She was a charter member of Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir as well as serving on various committees.
Mariann’s positive attitude shone, whether she was traveling the world, bird-watching or picking wild berries for her coveted preserves. Her can-do spirit was evident when she joined a tap dancing group at the young age of 60 and continued to perform for 22 years, earning accolades and awards.
Mariann is survived by her husband of 68 years, Howard Findley; and their four children, Ann Findley Spurgeon and husband John, of Urbana, Ill., Gail Findley Ransler and husband, Charles, of Paducah, Ky., Mary Jane Findley, of Asheville, N.C., and Howard M. Findley III, and wife, Nancy, of Mason, Ohio; her loving sister, Margery Lomax Mallory, of Dallas;
10 grandchildren, Patrick Spurgeon (Carolyn), Charles Ransler IV (Madeleine), Findley Ransler Finseth (Ryan), Katherine Spurgeon Volk (Kevin), Abigail Ransler Sabri (Sammer), Anna Ransler Donati (Tyler), Megan Findley, Caroline Findley, Alec Findley and Lauren Findley; Five great-grandchildren, Beatrix and Clementine Finseth, Addison Spurgeon, Avery Volk and Charles Ransler V; and dear nieces and nephews in Texas, Oklahoma, Hawaii and Washington.
A celebration of life ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, 700 Balearic Road, Hot Springs Village, AR, with the Rev. Patti Butler, the Rev. John Atherton and the Rev. Ann Findley Spurgeon presiding. Cremains will be interred in the Rose Garden at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church Mission Fund, 700 Balearic Road, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909, or PEO International Foundation Fund, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA
50312.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.caruthhale.com.