Obituary of Mary Ann & Edward Prestas

Mary Ann McMahon Prestas of Putnam, CT passed away on Thursday January 15, 2009 surrounded by her loved ones, under the extraordinary and compassionate care of Dr. Joseph Botta and the excellent staff at Westview Health Care Center. Mary Ann was born on December 28, 1931 to Stephen Lawrence McMahon and Sadie Agnes (Graham) McMahon in Bridgeport, CT. She is pre-deceased by her husband Edward and her older brother Stephen. Mary Ann is survived by her dear sister Sally Buchanan and three children: Gregory Prestas Gregory@lightlink.com of Ithaca, NY, Dr. Amy E. Prestas drbones89@aol.com and her life partner Linda L. Alexander of Seattle, WA, and Edward J. Prestas Jr. prestas@sbcglobal.net and his wife Tracy of Putnam, CT. Along with three grandchildren: Hannah E. Prestas, Edward J. Prestas III and Christopher Willette she also leaves her sister-in-law Marge Mullaney and her husband Jack of Jacksonville, FL and many nieces, grand nieces and grand nephews. Mary Ann married her high school sweetheart Ed in 1952 before he went overseas to serve in the army during the Korean War. She worked coloring newspaper comics at the Bridgeport Herald until her husband returned and they started their family. She stayed at home to raise her three children until the family moved to Barrington, RI in 1968. She pursued a career at Brown University in 1970 as an administrative assistant in the University Relations department and continued there until illness dictated a change 15 years later. A cancer survivor, she worked at Creative Environments in East Providence for many years always enjoying new challenges and jumping right in to learn new things via the trial by fire method. She was an artist, a musician and a fun-loving friend and confidant. Mary Ann loved being a grandmother most of all, and watching her grandchildren grow into such wonderful people gave her incredible joy. She enjoyed knitting, reading, word jumbles, crossword puzzles, watching the Patriots and collegiate women's basketball. A devoted and beloved wife, she nursed her husband through his illness until he passed away only 7 weeks before her on November 28, 2008. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and we will be forever grateful for the love and kindness she shared with us during the brief time we all had together. We miss them both tremendously, mourn them deeply, and will love them always and forever. A celebration of Edward and Mary Ann's life together will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM in Grove Street Cemetery, 247 Grove Street, Putnam, with Military Honors, followed by a memorial and reception at the Heritage Pines Club House, 164 Perry Street, Putnam. Smith & Walker Funeral Home is in Charge of the arrangements. Please omit Flowers. To share a memory with their family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com