Jan 5, 2016 2 min read

Mary Ann Katherine Surprenant, formerly of Greene County, passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, in her home in Rolling Hills, California.

Mary Ann, youngest child of Joseph and Katherine Kalis, was born and raised in Greensboro, and attended Mapletown High School.

She earned her bachelor’s and nursing degrees at Carlow University and her master’s degree at State University of New York at Buffalo. She pursued doctoral studies at UCLA, completing coursework qualifying for two additional masters degrees and teaching at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, UCLA School of Nursing, before leaving a profession she loved to raise her children.

Mary Ann was active in many philanthropic causes in the Los Angeles area. Classical music was one of her great passions, and she served as president and board member of numerous committees in support of the Los Angeles Music Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mary Ann also was involved in various capacities with the National Charity League, KCET’s Women’s Council, Inner Circle for the Los Angeles Children’s Museum, the Premier Patrons of the American Cinematheque, and the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation. Close to home, she was active in the Women’s Community Club of Rolling Hills and the St. John Fisher Music Guild.

Mary Ann took great pleasure in serving as historian and photographer for a number of organizations. Her many photos of special events and celebrations over the years, whether published or shared with friends, are a wonderful reminder of her community involvement and her enthusiasm for photography.

Mary Ann will be remembered not only for her philanthropy, but for her tireless devotion to family and friends and her zeal and perfectionism.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Edgar L. Surprenant; her brother, Edward Kalis; her sister, Margaret Kalis; her daughters, Katherine and Kirsten; her cousins and her many nephews and nieces.

Her brother, Joseph Kalis, predeceased her.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 4, at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, with interment immediately following at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes.