Mary Ann Howard passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 in Vancouver, Washington at age 78, from Vascular Dementia.

Mary Ann was born to Vernon Howard and Audentia "Audy" DeLong on March 10, 1943 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mary Ann attended All Saints Catholic School and graduated from North High School. She also attended Drake University and Inver Grove Community College where she studied literature, poetry, art and pottery.

Mary Anne was married to Dennis Forker from 1965-1976. They had 3 children; Paul, Matthew and Jenny. Mary Ann is survived by her children, her brother John Howard, his wife Carole, and their children Susan Wilhide, Jenny Howard Sparks, and Timothy Howard.

Mary Ann worked throughout her life, most notably for Metro Transit Authority and Iowa Power and Light in Des Moines. She moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1987 and worked for Ramsey County Public Health in St. Paul, Minnesota for 20 years, retiring in 2012.

Mary Ann was always reading and drawing. She often had a book or sketch pad under her arm. She loved music, sang and played the guitar, and loved to share her favorite music with friends and family.

She also loved making pottery for her many friends and loved ones. To her pots she added quotations from her favorite poems, song lyrics or books.

Mary Ann was a prolific writer of letters and postcards which she sent to her many friends and loved ones throughout her life.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents.