Mary Ann Wells

Mary Ann Wells passed away in Santa Barbara Friday morning, August 24, ninety-two years after her birth in Marshall, Texas. She transitioned peacefully, opened her eyes one final time; those eyes said goodbye to her daughter and hello to God.

Born into a farm family, she met a dashing young Texan, Lon Wells, tall and endearing, who she thought must be a tomcat. He wasn’t. Lon immediately recognized her virtues, her southernly charm, her attractiveness in every conceivable way, and audaciously tied the knot in an abiding marriage of 51 years.

Mary Ann and Lon found each other in a small town and moved to big towns throughout the country. He became a California executive in the food brokerage industry, and she became a diva of Newport Beach high society. As a team, they lit the sky. Vivacious and keen-minded with the highest standards, Mary Ann enlisted such lifelong friends as Ginny Knott to sponsor countless momentous charitable events. During this era she also earned a bachelor’s degree in Gerontology at Cal State Universty, Dominguez Hills, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

After beloved Lon passed on, Mary Ann entered her final chapters, appreciating Santa Barbara and newfound friends, who remember her as elegant, strong-willed, caring and wickedly smart. She leaves behind daughter Deborah Wells-Ah Tye, son-in-law Kirk Ah Tye, and granddaughter Torrey Ann Ah Tye and her fiancé, Ryan Iutzi.

Mary Ann and Lon have found each other again. This time for eternity.