MaryAnn Robins DeJong was born Sept. 30, 1921, to Coquella Memmott and Melvin Lewis in Scipio, Utah. She was raised and later adopted by her aunt and uncle Hettie Memmott and Con Robins. She was loved by all who knew her in that small ranching community.

MaryAnn graduated from Millard County High School in 1939 where she was active in student activities, clubs and student government. She enrolled in the nursing program at the Univ. of Utah in Salt Lake City. It was there that she met and married Rudolph DeJong. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 11, 1940. MaryAnn and Rudy moved to Richland in 1943 with the IE DuPont Company as part of the Manhattan Project. Ann and Rudy were married 63 years before Rudy passed away in 2004.

MaryAnn was a Homemaker when her boys were young. She was a Den Mother when her boys were in Cub Scouts, and volunteered at Jefferson Elem. School as a Room Mother. Ann never tired of supporting and being involved in her boys' activities. The DeJong home was always a gathering spot for friends. Ann volunteered for many years in the Primary and General Elections from 1952 until 2002. She assisted with Red Cross Blood Drives and the neighborhood March of Dimes. When her boys were older and went off to college, she worked at C.C. Andersons the Bon Marche. Later, she worked as Dr. CA McCartney's Receptionist/Office Manager at Uptown Optical. During that time she served as President of the Tri-City Business Women's Association.

After retirement, she went straight to the golf course. Ann enjoyed many years of golf with her friends at ShamNaPum Golf Course and competed in many tournaments with a close-knit group of friends. All were thrilled with her Hole-in-One! She loved to have her grandchildren chauffer her in her golf cart. She gave many years of service as a volunteer with Kadlec Hospital Auxiliary, earning her 4, 000 Hours Pin.

Throughout their marriage, Ann and Rudy traveled to Europe many times with family and friends. They enjoyed England, Ireland, Scotland, The Netherlands, Austria, and Eastern Europe, including Russia.

Ann was a sixth-generation Latter-day Saint and always active in the church. She served in four different Relief Society presidencies and was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Ann was a charter member of a group of LDS Richland pioneer women who gathered monthly for many years as 'The Club.' This group of faithful women met for some 50 years and continues to meet to this day.

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph, her brother Mark, sisters Florence and Colleen and her grandson Matthew Wayne DeJong. She is survived by sisters Ethel, Margaret, Edith, and brothers Seth and Tom; as well as her three sons, Norman Melanie of Prairie City OR; Lamont Carolyn of Gresham OR; and Robin Mari of Portland OR; and grandchildren Kendyl, Johanna Dan, Hettie, Mick Emily, Chris; and nine great-grandchildren Rustyn, Kyle, Melanie, Garrett, Emily, Soraya, Ethan, Ryan and new baby Aiden James.

Special appreciation and thanks to the wonderful staff at Guardian Angel who made Ann's last months happy and comfortable.

Funeral services will be at the LDS Church, 1321 Jadwin, Richland WA. Viewing with be on Friday, November 14, 2008 at10 a.m. with service to follow at 11 a.m.