Mary Ann Garland, formerly of Tappan, passed away peacefully at her home in Palisades on November 24, 2022 at the age of 95.

Mary Ann was born to Edgar and Isabel Lowe and lived the first third of her life on the west coast (Seattle, WA and then Oakland, CA).  She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley where she was very involved in the Theater Department.  She came to New York in the 50's to pursue an acting career.  She appeared in productions around New York, at the Equity Library Theater, the Nantucket Theater Festival and several playhouses throughout New England. She met her husband John Garland in a production of Under The Yum Yum Tree in North Conway, NH. John's character had to break a vase over her head, which caused a huge laceration on her scalp. A doctor from the audience stitched her up during intermission and the show continued and they married a few months later.

They moved to Tappan from the city in 1966 to raise their children.  Mary Ann worked at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory as a secretary for close to 20 years. She was a devoted member of the Palisades Presbyterian Church, serving as Assistant Treasurer and singing in the choir for decades. Her love of acting continued at Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack where she and her husband performed in several shows.  She attended theater whenever she could and encouraged others to join her.  She liked to travel but her favorite vacations were relaxing with a pile of books and a stack of accumulated New Yorker magazines. She was a wonderful blend of no-nonsense practicality and quiet, caring generosity.

She is predeceased by her husband John Garland and her sister Margery Gillespie. Mary Ann is survived by her son John W. and wife Lori of Jacksonville, FL, grandchild Jack of Coconut Creek, FL and daughter Mercy and wife Maria of Tappan, NY.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28th, 11am at the Palisades Presbyterian Church.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: Palisades Presbyterian Church ( https://palpresny.org/give-online/ ) or Elmwood Playhouse ( http://elmwoodplayhouse.com/donate/ )