Mary Ann Brown (1944–2025)

Mary Ann Brown, 81, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on July 17, 1944, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to George G. and Mary (Kuzemchak) Hock.

Mary Ann grew up in Edwardsville, where she graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1962. She was a cheerleader and played the role of Daisy Mae in her senior production of Li’l Abner.

In May of 1962, Mary Ann married James (Jim) Alexander Rosenbaum, and together they welcomed three children — daughter Daria, son James Jr., and daughter Carol. Widowed at the young age of 25, with three small children, she demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience.

In December 1970, she married George Jacob Brown, and together they added two more children to the family — son Eric and daughter Rebecca.

In 1981, the family made a big move from Pennsylvania to Farmington, New Mexico. Later, they relocated to the Seattle area and eventually settled in Orting, Washington.

Family was everything to Mary Ann. Whether her grandchildren were being cared for by “Nana,” living with her, or just visiting, they always knew how deeply they were loved. She was also a devoted caregiver to her mother and mother-in-law in their later years.

After losing her husband George in December 2019, Mary Ann continued to live independently, embodying the strength and independence she instilled in her children and grandchildren. She was loving, kind, compassionate, and giving — a steady presence in her family’s lives.

Earlier this summer, Mary Ann injured her leg, believing it to be a pulled muscle. On October 4th, she was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed with a broken hip, requiring partial hip replacement surgery. A subsequent scan revealed a suspicious spot on her back, and on October 11th she was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer. Following back surgery and a stay in rehab, her health declined rapidly. Surrounded by care and love, she passed away on November 1st, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Mary Ann is survived by her five children:
Daria (Ralph) Hulse of Clinton, UT; James (Tammy) Rosenbaum of Ocean View, Hawaii; Carol (Louis) Archuleta of Buckley, WA; Eric (Courtney Nash) Brown of Bellingham, WA; and Rebecca (Patrick) Gilbert of South Prairie, WA.

She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jacob (Kelsey) Hulse, James (Emily) Hulse, Pamela (Ben Shrewsbury) Hulse, Jimmy (Emily) Rosenbaum, Jenna (Danny) Rosenbaum, Kira (Rob) Wohfeil, Alyssa (Sam) Breuer, Cleo Brown, Wylie Brown, Riley Gilbert, and Kayla Gilbert; and 8 great-grandchildren: Kinlee, Sadie, Ryker, Calem, Zoey, Emilia, Hazel and Saylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Hock; her brother and sister-in-law, George and Ginny Hock; her husbands, Jim Rosenbaum and George Brown; and her great-granddaughter, Avalyn Pearle Hulse.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Special Care Adult Family Home in Bonney Lake, WA — especially Haymie, Sam, Yulandie, and Empu — for their compassionate care during Mary Ann’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date, with interment at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Cremation Plus, Puyallup, WA.