MaryAnn Pooley Pierce, 84

March 20, 1932 — Oct. 30, 2016

MaryAnn Pooley Pierce, 84, passed from this life into the arms of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 30, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

MaryAnn, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., was born on March 20, 1932, to William Lincoln Frederick Pooley, and Adelaide Louise Shearman Pooley. She was raised in Buffalo along with her older sister, Louise.

When MaryAnn was only 10 years old, in 1942, her father, a World War I veteran infantry officer, was called to active duty during World War II. However, because of his age, he was posted as a senior officer to Sheppard Army Air Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, allowing his family to join him. MaryAnn thought her life was over. She had been wrenched from the lush green and cool summers of upstate New York and placed in the hot and dusty Texas panhandle.

However, when the family moved back home to Buffalo, she met Woodrow L. Pierce and they were married in Kenmore, N.Y., on July 29, 1950.

After “Wood” and MaryAnn returned from their honeymoon, they moved to Florida. They stayed until the following May, then returned to Kenmore where their first child, Mary Linda Pierce, was born. In October 1954, their middle child, Bill Pierce was born. In 1957, “Wood,” MaryAnn and their two children moved from Kenmore to Fullerton, Calif. In 1959, their youngest child, Jerry Pierce was born.

“Wood” and MaryAnn made a life for themselves and their children and enjoyed all that the Southern California living had to offer. They raised Vizsla and entered their dogs in field trails put on by the American Kennel Club. MaryAnn managed the preparation and staging for the various sporting activities, hunting, fishing, boating, diving and activities of the children. MaryAnn also enjoyed some world travel visiting countries that “Wood” was working in.

MaryAnn attended Cypress College of Nursing and graduated as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1978. After which, she worked at St. Jude Hospital as a nurse for many years.

In 1988 when retirement came, the two moved up to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to enjoy the lifestyle of the great northwest. Here she enjoyed hunting with their Vizsla’s, cuddling with her cats, attending Zumba class at her gym, volunteering at the yearly Ironman Triathlon, and many social activities with family and good friends. MaryAnn was also an excellent cook and enjoyed creating and cooking for family and friends.

Planting and growing was her passion. MaryAnn, alongside “Wood,” planted an acre of raspberries which they also harvested and sold to local restaurants. MaryAnn obtained the status of becoming a Master Gardener, which came in handy with the growing of the raspberries and helping to manage “Pierce Berry Farm.” Through her knowledge of planting, growing and producing vegetables, herbs, raspberry wine and raspberry brandy, she entered her bounty many summers into the Kootenai County fair where she won many awards, some of which were of the highest awards given in her categories.

MaryAnn was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene. Mary Ann was a volunteer at the Church currently led by Pastor Craig Sumey. This commitment has provided many years of productive and gratifying fellowship.

MaryAnn is preceded in death by her father, William Pooley; mother Adelaide Pooley; sister Louise Leinweber and grandson Cody James Pierce.

She is survived by her husband, Woodie L. Pierce and their children, Mary L. (Marina) Pierce of McKinleyville, Calif., William D. Pierce of McKinleyville, and Gerald B. Pierce and his wife, Julie D. Pierce of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren: Gabriel Christian and his wife, Rebecca A. Christian of Sisters, Ore., Eric S. Christian and his wife, Emily R. Christian of McKinleyville, Jesse Hennings of Eureka, Calif., and Callie A. Pierce of Coeur d’Alene; great-grandchildren: Camille Hennings of Eureka, Gavin P. Christian of Sisters, Vincent J. Christian of Sisters, and Jasmine H. Christian of McKinleyville.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at The First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene. After the service, a gathering of family and friends will be held in the Family Center at the Church.

Please make any donations to “American Cancer Society” in the name of “MaryAnn Pierce.”

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit MaryAnn’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guestbook.