Mary Ann Morrison

Mary Ann was born on August 27, 1929, in Aberdeen, South Dakota to first-generation Swedish immigrants Nels and Alice Benson. She had a brother, Don, who was 5 years older and passed away in 1980.
Growing up in the Depression for Mary Ann’s family was challenging, but most stories from that time revolve around their family closeness, her affection for all things Shirley Temple and her love of animals, many of which she tried to bring home.

Mary Ann attended Aberdeen Central High School. There she met Jim Morrison, her future husband, as a sophomore. At Central High she played the French horn and served on the student council. Mary Ann also played piano well enough to join a band led by John Cacavas, who later became a successful movie and TV composer.

After high school, Mary Ann went on an epic 6-week cross-country trip with her parents and brother. She studied at Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen and Mankato State in Minnesota before moving with friends to the “big city” of Minneapolis. Mary Ann first worked at a candy factory and then at C.H. Robinson for several years.

On October 4, 1952 Mary Ann married her high school sweetheart, James Arvid Morrison. Their first child, James Donald, was born in 1953, followed by David William in 1956. She was a caring wife and mother, supporting her family at home and husband Jim in his career with Honeywell. They moved from Minneapolis to Palos Verdes in 1968. After 1968, she worked for Tupperware and as a manager with World Book Enterprises, through which she expressed her love for children and learning.

Mary Ann was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. She and Jim were married there. The Morrisons were long-time members of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Redondo Beach.

For Mary Ann, Christmas, as in many Swedish families, was a highlight of the year. To the delight of her family, she excelled at baking Swedish cookies, rice pudding, Swedish pancakes and other goodies. Mary Ann enjoyed spending special time together with Jim and her extended family at Christmas, even after cooking became difficult for her.
Mary Ann’s health declined gradually over the course of many years. Thanks to assistance from her husband, Jim, and many dedicated in-home caregivers, she was able to make the best of those challenges until peacefully passing away at home on March 22, 2019.

Close family mourning her loss include Mary Ann’s husband of 66 years, Jim, her two sons, Jim and his wife Laurel Balyeat Morrison, David and his wife Vicki Symonds, as well as granddaughters Elisabeth Meikle and her husband James Meikle, Mary Katherine Morrison and her husband Daniel Ciurlizza, Emily Morrison and Katie Morrison, sister-in-law Kate Morrison, nieces, Ann Morrison Roth, Ellen Morrison and Sarah Morrison and nephew, Bill Morrison.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy or South Bay Wildlife Rehabilitation.