MARY ANN MAACK HERRING

1963-2021

Mary Ann departed peacefully on December 23rd, 2021 after two hard-fought years of aggressive oncology treatment. She passed in the comfort of her home and in the company of family and friends at her bedside. Her loved ones will forever carry her memory and legacy by laughing, loving, and being mindful that every day presents an opportunity to show kindness.

Mary Ann was born in Houston on August 1st, 1963 to parents John Albert Maack, a native Houstonian, and his beautiful wife from Iowa, Mary Joan Griese. They started their family in a home in West University Place that remained in the family until late 2021. The family were members of the congregation at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Mary Ann attended Houston public schools: West U Elementary, Pershing Middle, and received her high school diploma from Lamar.

Mary Ann completed her nursing degree in 1986, and practiced in many different settings including hospitals, physician offices, and eventually provided care for patients in their homes. She found a true passion in hospice care for several years of her nursing career, and karma proved true when it blessed her with the care of a few extraordinary souls from Houston Hospice in her final months. As a nurse, Mary Ann cared for each patient with the same level of respect and personal concern as she would her own family. She prioritized her patient’s wellbeing above all else and found joy in improving the emotional health of her patients and their families in addition to tending to their medical needs.

She was a committed wife to her husband Mike Herring and a devoted mother to their son Kenny. She maintained a close relationship with Mike’s family and was grateful for their acts of love and support for Kenny. She chose to care for Kenny at home for 20 years and loved him unconditionally. She never viewed her care for him as a sacrifice; it was simply motherly love and a purposeful choice. She was so fortunate to have phenomenal friends who recognized that love in her and supported her in ways she couldn’t have imagined and certainly never expected. She was rich in friends that included childhood school friends and neighbors, nursing buddies, softball teams, and a few Kay’s regulars who would provide a wealth of companionship and joy throughout the years.

Mary Ann had an uncanny ability to find joy in her daily routine and would often return from the most mundane errand with a newsworthy tale. She loved to laugh and tell jokes and her fun personality could inspire anyone to smile. She always recognized the good in people and focused on the positive aspects of her life.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her son, Kenny, all five of her siblings, Jo Ann, John, Monica, Martin and wife Phyllis, and Jim in addition to numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The Maack family will host lunch and a memorial celebration in her honor on March 26th at Ragin’ Cajun (4302 Richmond Ave), beginning at 1:00 pm with crawfish (her favorite) and Cajun cuisine followed by a casual memorial gathering at 2:30 pm. It was her request for us to gather, share memories, and laugh. Please feel free to check out our ongoing gallery for sharing and refreshing your memories:

https://cluster.co/ i/4S3XGSQF

If desired, donations may be sent to Avondale House for all their support over the years on behalf of her son Kenny. 3737 O’Meara Drive, Houston, Texas 77025.