Mary Ann Mangum

Mary Ann Mangum (née Wood) graced this world with extraordinary compassion, strength, love, faith, and friendship for 90 years. Her empathy and her wisdom brought light and comfort to every soul she encountered in her life’s journey. 

Mary Ann was born in New York City in 1933, the same year as her “Irish twin” brother, Charles Osgood Wood. The two were as close in life as they are now in death, both born in 1933 and both departed in 2024. 

Growing up in Baltimore, she and her brother enjoyed following baseball games on the radio and found joy in all the arts. Her beautiful soprano voice could rise above the rafters as her brother would accompany her at the piano. In her early adulthood, she was active in theater and realized her talent as a gifted artist, painting with watercolors and sketching Matisse-like works. She was a Wordle Pro and loved to read. 

After attending Caldwell College and Seaton Hall University, she worked as a teacher at the Julia Traphagan School in Waldwick, New Jersey, where she left such a profound impression on her students that many would go on to become dear friends across decades. 

In 1962, she married Barry David Mangum who remained her faithful and loving husband for 57 years until his death in 2019. As newlyweds, MaryAnn and Barry moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, where they spend many happy years raising their two children and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their beautiful home. The couple retired to Rapidan, Virginia where they enjoyed the quiet country life. 

Mary Ann’s strong faith guided her and helped her guide others.  She offered unending hope and positivity to others, always with a kind word and a gentle heart. She and her husband served the community as members of St. Isadore the Farmer Church.

Mary Ann was funny. She was kind. She was gracious.  She expressed appreciation and gratitude for every little thing and every circumstance.  She was deeply loving, and she managed to remember everyone’s birthday.

She is survived by her brother Kenneth Wilson Wood, her children Charles Christopher and Clare Marie Mangum, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and kin who felt the constant glow of her love. May her soul rest in eternal peace and may her memory bring continued comfort and hope to all of us whose lives she graced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that financial support is given to the Rapidan Volunteer Fire Department and Doctors Without Borders. 

Let me be a little kinder

Let me be a little blinder 

To the faults of those about me

Let me praise a little more.

Let me be a bit more cheery

Even when I’m feeling weary

Let me think more of my neighbor 

And a little less of me. 

 

-from “Less of Me” by Glen Campbell