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Mary Ann Clawson Knerr died on June 6, 2023. Born in Seattle on February 8, 1929 to Jim and Louise Clawson, Mary Ann grew up in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood with her parents, family friend Pearl Weygant, older sisters Jeanne and Betty, and her cat Primo. She graduated from Garfield High in 1947, then from the University of Washington with a degree in Education. While at the UW, she became part of the Huskies’ cheerleading squad, and also joined the sorority Gamma Phi Beta, where she served as its president during her senior year. Throughout her long life, Mary Ann maintained close relations with her numerous sorority sisters. A special highlight from her college days was a bike trip through post-war Europe during the summer of 1950. In 1951, Mary Ann graduated from the UW and married fellow Husky and Seattleite Jim Baird. She began her career in education as a second grade teacher at Seattle’s Columbia Grade School. Four children followed, and in 1960, Jim and Mary Ann enjoyed a brief vacation to O’ahu, whereupon they decided to move the family to Kailua. Always an excellent dancer, Mary Ann immediately took up Hula and Tahitian dance, and soon was giving lessons to the neighborhood kids. A few years later, Mary Ann returned to her career by first earning a masters degree in Library Sciences from the University of Hawai’i. Then for the next 15 years, she served as the librarian at Kainalu Elementary School, where her favorite activity was reading to students. Even into her 90s, former students often stopped her on the street to reminisce. While raising her kids, Mary Ann played an active role in numerous political campaigns, including Patsy Mink’s and Tom Gill’s. She also assumed numerous leadership roles at her church, St. Christophers. After Jim and Mary Ann divorced in 1975, in 1977 Mary Ann married Pete Knerr, and the two moved to their beloved home in Lanikai. Their frequent travels throughout the Pacific, where they enjoyed snorkeling and learning local history, led them to establish an import business, P & M Imports. Never one to sit still, Mary Ann’s physical activities grew to include running, tennis, yoga, aerobics, and her true love, paddling. At the age of 52, she completed the Honolulu Marathon, then came home to cook dinner. After retiring from Kainalu Elementary, Mary Ann became even more involved in volunteering for the community. She served as a Guardian Ad Litem for numerous children, was a long time volunteer for the Reading is Fundamental program, remained an active member of St. Christophers, cared for many as a Hospice volunteer, and kept audiences laughing with her performances in Lanikai Melodramas. Along the way she also took classes in piano, watercolor, religion, Hawaiian, and hula, and still found time for aerobics, paddling, tennis, overnight canoe trips, her book club, Crafty Critters, Tai Chi and weekly sessions at John’s Salon. Her numerous friendships grew each year, each of which she cherished to the end. In addition to her husband Pete, Mary Ann is survived by her four children Mary Lynn Stone, Peter Baird (Barb), Katie Baird (David Corbett) and Diane Baird. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, countless friends, and her beloved companion-in-crime Kerry Almond. We all miss her, but celebrate her for her humor, graciousness, wisdom, and dedication to her community. Services will be held at a future date. Arrangements Provided By: |
