Mary Ann Scofield

Mary Ann Scofield
Mary Ann Scofield was welcomed into the world on January 30th, 1947 in Orange, Texas. Born to Frank and Sarah Todaro, she was the second of five beautiful girls; the oldest, her twin sister Rosalie, out-nudged her by five minutes.

Growing up in a loving, tight-knit Italian family, her lifelong values of family, church, and community were instilled at an early age. The Todaros were one of the pioneers of family-owned supermarkets in Orange, and Mary Ann was a permanent fixture in their store, Save-Way, from age 4 until 1985 when the store was sold. She loved visiting with the customers and employees, as well as working in the meat market, where she inherited her tireless work ethic from her parents.

She attended St. Mary Catholic School, where she participated in many sports and developed a passion for writing and creative talents, not to mention a remarkable set of social skills. She enjoyed dancing and family time, and held the honor of being chosen homecoming queen her senior year.

Mary Ann went on to study Education and Art History at Stephen F. Austin University. While there she met her beloved husband and lifelong companion, John. On August 31st, 1969, she and her twin had a grand double wedding in Orange. Yes, those inseparable girls did everything together – including getting married. The twins would often joke of that overwhelming day for their father, “We had to carry our daddy down the aisle!” Mary Ann and John lived briefly in Dallas, where she worked for First National Bank in their first ever Mastercard division. In 1973 her father “made her an offer she couldn’t refuse” to return to work at the grocery store in Orange.

John and Mary Ann followed her parents’ lead on a happy home full of girls and had three wonderful daughters of their own. To say that she lived for her children is an understatement. She raised them to be as full of love and life as she was. A source of endless support and encouragement, she nurtured them to chase dreams, seek adventure, and travel the world. One of her favorite destinations was the Scofield family’s home on the beach in Grand Cayman. As her children grew, she constantly sought opportunities to remain close to them. Over the years she worked as Director of Camp Fire Boys and Girls, even employing her daughters and their friends to work as camp counselors during the summers. She was a substitute teacher, and started her own business for teens’ fashion. A staunch supporter of Catholic education, she also worked as a CCD and Vacation Bible School teacher.

Mary Ann was fiercely dedicated to making her home beautiful and welcoming. She was an excellent and creative cook, combining old world traditions with delicious inventions of her own. She had a true appreciation for art and also loved music.

She was an amazing hostess and true entertainer, always able to make everyone laugh and feel welcome! She could truly do a little bit of everything. She had Southern charm and knew proper etiquette, but her mischievous side led her to make her own rules on occasion. Her sisters and lifelong friends tell stories of how her instigations led to their greatest adventures in life. Her outlook remained optimistic at all times – her mom would tell her, “Mary Ann, you are always looking up.”

One of her true loves was continuing the Italian tradition of the Saint Joseph Altar that was so important to her mother and family. She was famous for her “cuccidata” fig cookies.

Volunteering her time for those in need was very important to her, and she held various positions in Service League of Orange, Catholic Daughters of America – Court of St. Cecilia, served as docent for the Catholic Women’s Home Tour. She was very active in her beloved St. Mary Church, serving for years as Eucharistic Minister and in the Altar Society.

She is preceded in death by her parents Frank Jasper and Sarah Lucia Todaro. She is survived by her husband John Beall Scofield, daughter Rosalie Rebecca and Rory Roemisch of Austin, daughter Francella Reynee Scofield of Santa Monica, California, and daughter Sendy Marie Scofield of Austin. Grandchildren Edwin Michael Scofield and Rosemary Beall Roemisch. Her identical twin sister Rosalie and husband Judge Pat Clark, sister Sendy and husband Larry O’Keefe, sister Sarah and husband Billy Berryman sister Antionette and husband Wayne Peveto all of Orange and a number of nieces and nephews and friends who consider her their mother too.

In celebration of Mary Ann’s life, a rosary will be said at 10:00am on Monday, May 2nd. Followed immediately at 10:30am by a funeral Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary Joseph Altar or to St. Mary School Foundation at 912 West Cherry Street in Orange, Texas, 77630.