Mary Anne Cookendorfer

Mary Anne Cookendorfer, age 81, of West Harrison Indiana, passed away on Saturday June 3, 2023 in Batesville, Indiana. She was born the daughter of Bill and Anna (Kappler) Mecier on September 24, 1941 in Panama, Central America.

Mary Anne met John in a swimming pool in California while he was stationed there in the Air Force. Dad’s story was that he had pretended to be drowning in the pool to get moms attention. Well, he sure did and mom happily married him in Camarillo, California on March 18, 1961.

Mary Anne was also a very accomplished cook. So good, that her children attempted to do as well as she did, but we couldn’t even come close. Mary Anne also loved to shop, especially yard sales and auctions with dad, and had the knack of finding interesting jewelry and decorations for her home and for her kids to display in their homes. Mary Anne loved her family and friends, and looked forward to travel with dad to the many destinations they went, whether in a camper, a houseboat or flying, all were important to her. Mary Anne also took great pleasure in being involved with dad in the Drewersburg Fire Dept dances at Strickers Grove, and helping prepare food at the annual Pancake Supper, that the community all enjoyed. These events helped raise money to support the Fire Dept and it was quite successful. Mary Anne volunteered with the EMS as a driver and also with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Dept.

Mary Anne is survived by her 4 children.  Jackie Hutson, the youngest of her children, devoted her time to be Mary Anne’s caretaker and to assist her through her health issues & navigate with her on the many household responsibilities through the years after John passed away, and her boyfriend Clifton Barker; Peggy Bowling and her husband Dennis, Chris and her husband Larry Newcomer and Deana Eagle. Her 11 grandchildren, Nick Cookendorfer,  Kaytlynn and Jessika Wells, Andrew and Dane Bowling, Kailey and Logan Hutson, Aaron Zaenkart & John, Alex and Austin Cookendorfer, and 5 great grandchildren. Mary Anne is survived by her brother Bill Mecier.  Mary Anne is also survived by her many good friends, including her lifelong best friend and confidant, Nancy Howard.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Cookendorfer, her parents Bill and Anna Mecier, her son John Cookendorfer, her sister Vida Babette Makowski and John and MaryAnn’s beloved snoodle, Susy.

Mary Anne will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends who were part of her life on this beautiful earth. She was very important to each and every one of them, as she loved them the same.

A memorial service will be held at the VFW event center (9160 Lawrenceburg Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030) on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.