Mary Anne (Doyle) Trompeter died Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at home, comforted by family and friends. Mary Anne was 90 years old. She was born in Rochester, the eldest child of Grace and Nicholas Doyle, sister of Ellen and brothers Jack, Jim, Bob, Bill and Patrick. She attended Holy Apostles grammar school and Nazareth Academy. As a child of the Depression, and a bright student, she saw a way to relieve the suffering of others by enrolling in the Cadet Nurse Corps program at Nazareth College. She was a member of the second class of the Nurse Corp, became a registered nurse in 1947 and was hired by Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester as a staff nurse. Four years later, while working, she completed a bachelor degree in nursing at Nazareth College. Mary Anne married Richard Trompeter, the love of her life, in a Valentine wedding in 1955. She retired from Strong as the instructor/supervisor of the pediatric nursing department in 1956 to raise her three children. The family moved from Rochester to Camillus in 1967. Mary Anne returned to nursing in 1968 as a faculty member of the associate degree nursing program at Onondaga Community College (OCC). She twice served as vhair of that department and helped develop a new curriculum which remains the basis of today’s program. In 1981, Mary Anne and Dick fulfilled their dream of moving to Skaneateles Lake. She retired from OCC in 1987 as professor of nursing emeritus.
In Skaneateles, Mary Anne was a parishioner at St. Mary’s of the Lake, an active member of the AAUW (American Association of University Women), the Skaneateles Garden Club, and the Skaneateles Country Club. She also enjoyed playing bridge, bowling and later the Red Hat Ladies. A lifelong learner, Mary Anne was an avid reader of many subjects, especially books on spirituality and religion. She displayed her keen financial acumen and to-do lists on the back of envelopes throughout the house. Her most cherished memories were time spent hosting her children and beloved grandchildren at the lake and visiting their homes in Albany, New Jersey and Connecticut, preserving many family traditions over the years.
In addition to her years of learning, practicing and teaching nursing, Mary Anne made two final gifts to the profession. She established a scholarship for nursing students at her alma mater, Nazareth College, in memory of her mentor Sister Margaret Mary Townsend. Mary Anne also arranged for her body to be donated to the Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester Medical School for research so that others may continue to learn.
Mary Anne was predeceased by her husband Dick in 2016. She is survived by her brothers Jack Doyle and Jim Doyle (Marge) and many loving nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her children Chris (Rosemary), Bill (Cheryl), and Ellen (Dennis) and her grandchildren Grace, Luke, Daniel, Emma, James and Oliver. Mary Anne cultivated many friendships, some life-long, and was blessed to the end of her days with dear friends and wonderful neighbors.
Calling hours with Mary Anne’s family will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, Sept. 15, at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, 81 Jordan St., Skaneateles, followed by a luncheon reception in the parish center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting one of Mary Anne’s charitable interests: Sister Margaret Mary Townsend Endowed Scholarship Fund, Nazareth College, (4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618, or online: naz.edu/makeagift , check “Memorial Gift” and note Mary Anne Trompeter and Sister Margaret Mary Townsend in the comments); Catholic Relief Services and the American Indian College Fund.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.