Mary Anna Loftus

It is with sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother and matriarch, Mary Anna Loftus. She died surrounded by family at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Madeleine and Charles Morton.

She was an only child born to john R. and Mary Doris Wuller (nee Doling) in Tulsa, OK.  She grew up in Holy Family Parish where she was baptized and attended elementary thru high school.  She graduated in 1948.

Mom attended Oklahoma A & M in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she majored in physical education. She was a natural athlete and she especially enjoyed swimming and excelled in water ballet and competitive swimming.

While she was at OSU she met the love of her life, our dad. They married and moved to Richland, Washington where dad had a job with General Electric at the Hanford Atomic Energy Plant. In 1964 G.E. transferred dad to the Mississippi Test Facility in Hancock County.  They and their 8 children settled in Long Beach. They added two more children to their family whom they called their Dixie Darlings. Mom and dad were married 65 years.

Mom and dad were active members of St. Thomas Catholic Church. Mom was a Eucharistic minister and would visit the homebound, nursing home, and hospital patients.  She was a member of the St. Margaret’s’ Daughters and was involved with the Carnival Association of Long Beach.  After moving to Long Beach, mom continued teaching swimming in Long Beach and Gulfport. Through the years she enjoyed helping with registration at USM Gulf Park and she worked the voting precincts during elections. She also belonged to the Garden Club.

Mom had a beautiful smile, and her sense of humor as wit was embellished as she raised her family.  She was kind, patient and gentle and she taught us to look for good in the people we meet.  Her Legacy to us is her Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother of Jesus.  Mom did live a life for God, and we could see Him through the life she shared with us.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Vernon; sons, John and James; granddaughter, Mary Christine Johnson; and son in law, Randy Phillips.

Mary Anna is survived by her children, Mary Liotta, Of Phoenix, AZ, Mildred and Kenneth Bolden, of Biloxi, Joseph and Nancy Loftus, of Long Beach, Martha and Conrad Johnson, of Long Beach, Maureen Phillips of Starkville, MS, Jeffery and Gretchen Loftus of Long Beach, Michele and Mark Christian, of Opelika, AL, Madeleine and Charles Morton, Of Biloxi; and daughter in law, Beverly Jo Loftus, of Long Beach; 35 grandchildren; and 46 great grandchildren.

We would like to thank Southern Magnolia Assistance Services (Amy, Tyler, Jennifer, Audra and Robin) and Notre Dame Hospice (Christine, RN and Tammy, CAN) for the care they game to mom and the family during the last year. We would also like to thank Dixie Whitehouse Nursing and Rehab for the six years they took care of mom prior to the Corvid pandemic.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul (St. Thomas chapter), Notre Dame Home Health, Magnolia Southern Living Assistance Services, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, from 10 – 11 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Long Beach.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church.  Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com