Obituary of Mary Ann Allison

Mary Ann Allison Mary Ann Allison, 66, died Friday, February 20, 2009 at her home near Clarksville. Born April 28, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, Mary Ann lived as she died, putting the lives of others, including her beloved pets, before her own. The first of three daughters born to Raymond and Hazel Todd Azar, Mary Ann was the best daughter any parent could ever hope to have. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Hazel Azar. Survivors include her beloved husband of 15 years, Butch Allison of Clarksville; one daughter, Kimberly Hukari and her husband, Scott, of St. Petersburg, FL; one son, Stephen Kovac and his wife, Kimberly, of St. Pete Beach, FL; one stepson, Hunter Allison of St. Louis; two stepdaughters: Kimberly Heuermann and her husband, Kevin, of Kansas City, MO, and Ashley Maguire and her husband, Kevin, of Denver, CO; 10 grandchildren: Alexa Kovac, Hunter, Harrison, Hayes, and Heath Hukari; Haydan and Jackson Heuermann, and Greer, Kiernan, and Harper Maguire. She also leaves two sisters: Barbara Davis and her husband, Tony, of Columbia, MO, and Pamela O'Brien and her husband, Dale, of Pacific Grove, CA; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She is also survived by Tickles, one of her rescued dogs. Mary Ann was many things to so many people -- true friend, fierce animal advocate, and brilliant, generous antique dealer. She had her own unique, never dull business style, always seeing the possibilities surrounding her through a different prism. There was not a trace of "business as usual" about her. Her energy was boundless and contagious. When Clarksville was struggling with the floods in '08, she worked as hard as any man to keep the Mississippi at bay. Her generosity and hospitality never ceased. In good times and in bad, the door to the Allison home was always open to family, friend or stray animal -- be it bird, cat, dog or even fox. The tales of Mary Ann and her animals are legend. And they are all true. Through all her life and up until the end of it, Mary Ann was a stunning beauty. Not just on the outside, her beauty shone from within. She graduated from high school with every senior superlative possible from most beautiful eyes, smile, face, etc. to even most likely to succeed. She was the sum of all of those things throughout the rest of her life. At the University of Missouri, she reigned as Homecoming Queen in 1962-63 as well as one of the first women to graduate with a Marketing Degree from the College of Business and Public Administration. Mary Ann always did what she set her mind to do, and she did everything to the maximum in her own flamboyant way. She was not a person of half persuasion, as anyone who knew her would vouch. She lived as she died, with a blinding love for her family, friends and pets. She will always be with us because her spirit lives in every life she ever touched. Along with her husband she owned and operated the Clarksville Antique and Auction Center, the West End Gallery, and many other businesses in the area. A memorial gathering for Mary Ann Allison of Clarksville, MO, formerly of St. Louis, MO will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the American Legion #349 in Clarksville. A memorial service in St. Louis will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the West End Gallery (4739 McPherson, St. Louis, MO 63108) followed by a 3:00-6:00 p.m. celebration of her life. In Lieu of flowers, tax deductable donations would be appreciated in the name of "MaryAnn's Haven" at CBC Bank of Clarksville, 410 S. 2nd Street, Clarksville, MO 63336 or at www.maryannshaven.com . This is a not-for-profit organization being set up to care for strays and wounded animals of all make. Condolences may be made online at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com or sent to Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.