Obituary of Mary Ann Horst

Mary Ann Horst ~ July 12, 1931 – July 30, 2014 ~ Mary Ann Horst passed away peacefully at Martin’s Rest Home, Elmira, on July 30, 2014. Mary Ann’s Christian faith sustained her in the death of her parents, Eli and Malinda (Sittler) Horst, and all her brothers and sisters, Ismael, David (Perseda), Urias, Susanna, Salinda (Gordon Ariss), Sarah, Noah (Evelyn), and Eli (Helen). Mary Ann will be fondly remembered by nieces and nephews living throughout Southern Ontario and Western Canada. As an adult, Mary Ann returned to school to obtain her secondary education. Mary Ann valued her heritage and had a keen interest in history and genealogy. She was author of a number of books related to Waterloo County Mennonites. For many years she operated a Pennsylvania Dutch gift, craft, and book shop on King Street, and was a vendor at the Kitchener Farmers Market. In 1993 Mary Ann was recognized as a Woman of the Year with an award in the Arts/History/Literature category. Mary Ann was a long-time resident of K-W and was a member of First Mennonite Church in Kitchener. More recently she moved to Elmira and joined the Elmira Mennonite Church. The funeral service will be held in the chapel of the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, followed by a reception at the funeral home where the family will receive friends. Interment will be in First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, prior to the funeral service. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to express appreciation to Lydian Martin and her staff at Martin’s Rest Home for their kind and compassionate care for the past four years. Service Summary Funeral Service: At the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 ~ Reception and Visiting: At the funeral home following the service ~ Interment: First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, prior to the funeral service ~ Donations: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)(50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1 http://ontario.mcc.org/ Donate on-line or call toll free 1-800-313-6226 or local: 519-745-8458)