Mary Ann (Barrows) Oliver

Mary Ann Oliver

Of Nineveh

Mary Ann Oliver, 85, of Nineveh passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 at Binghamton General Hospital.  She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur Oliver, son-in-law, Mark Smith, brothers, Joseph, Michael, Patrick and Timothy and a sister, Colleen Zimmerman.

She is survived by her two children, Jeffrey Oliver of Nineveh, NY and Jennifer Smith of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren, John Oliver, Jamie Oliver, Trinity Smith, Nathan Vasick, Joseph & Hunter Vasick, and great grandchildren, Owen and McKinley; sisters Charlotte Stanek, NC, Rosalie Francica, FL, and Linda Barrows, Binghamton and last but certainly not least, her constant companion, David Munroe of Nineveh, and  a number of nieces and nephews.

She was born in Richford, NY to Johnny and Mary (Zupancic) Barrows, living for a short time in Berkshire and outside Afton before the family settled in Harpursville, NY, where she graduated High School in 1957, marrying Art Oliver in 1958.

Mary Ann was an active member of Harpursville United Methodist Church as well as the Center Village Homemaker's Club.  She served as a volunteer elections poll worker, acted as president of the Nineveh Library for a period of time, and took great joy in writing Granny's Column for the Windsor Standard.  Mary Ann loved to sew, which grew into a love for quilting, as well as hosting the Knit Wits prayer shawl group and teaching sewing to her 4H group.

She was an avid reader, with a huge library and a book always nearby.  She advocated that everyone be competent in understanding the written word so that they might have a better understanding of the world around them.

She loved to bake and it was hard to get out of her house without having a cup of coffee and a sample of whatever had just come out of the oven. And there was the constant sound of country music in the background, usually including Willie Nelson or Patsy Cline.

Her proudest achievement came from twenty-six years serving the Colesville Ambulance Squad, of which she was a charter member, and also as a First Aid instructor, and eventually a certified EMT.  She delighted in delivering babies and suffered along with many folks that needed care.

Mary Ann left behind many dear friends, particularly around Harpursville, Afton, Windsor, and all the little communities up and down the Susquehanna River in Colesville. She was active in the Eastern Broome Senior Center, and always looked forward to meeting friends there, both old and new. 

Her most recent honor was to be recognized by The Colesville Rotary Club as 2024 Citizen of the Year. 

She taught us the value of friendship and respect, and was a wonderful Mom, Grandma, Aunt, and a fine influence to many young folks who grew up around her.  

She shall be missed.

Memorial Services will be held at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home 69-71 Maple Street Harpursville on Saturday, March 15th at 11:30 a.m.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service followed by a luncheon at the United Methodist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harpursville United Methodist Church, POB 23 Harpursville, NY 13787, Colesville Volunteer Ambulance Service (CVAS), POB 62 Harpursville, NY 13787 or the Nineveh Public Library, 3029 NY-7 Nineveh, NY 13813.

Online condolences may be made at:  www.omaddenfh.com.

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