Mary Ann Baner passed away peacefully on May 13, 2022, the second Friday in May at the age of 87 in her home, leaving behind a legacy of four children (Virginia Baner, Larry Baner, Carl Baner and Mary Alley), nine grandchildren (Caitlin Baner, John Carl Baner, Lukas Baner, Megan Bohabot, Joshua Alley, Debra Baner, Phebe Alley, Selina Baner, John Philip Alley), three foster children (Frank Jones, John Trowse and Sherrii McCombie) and her beloved pets Lacy (dog) and Bandit (donkey).
She is preceded in death by the love of her life Larry Baner husband of 48 years, and John Trowse. Her life’s moto could be summarized as “You can’t change your situation but you can change your attitude” which was passed onto her family and all those she came in contact with.
You could tell Mary Ann was a lifelong Christian by her love for others. That love for others spilled out into her career as a teacher, through mentoring and by helping others. She is probably most widely known for her passion and love for chemistry.
She graduated from Dickenson College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in the 1950s when women were not considered fit for learning chemistry and went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Syracuse University. She taught 37 years of high school chemistry in Marcellus, Westhill, Syracuse, South Carolina and Pennsylvania school districts. Students in her classrooms will never forget her high expectations for their classroom performance, Avagodro’s Number and her reaction chemistry demonstrations that went bang.
Outside the classroom she tutored numerous chemistry students, was active in the American Chemical Society Syracuse educational chapter, mentored New York state chemistry teachers and was an adjunct lecturer in adolescence science at Cortland. Teaching did not stop in the classroom as she taught learn to swim at the Jordan Memorial Pool for many years, taught Sunday school at Jordan United Methodist Church, coached science Olympiad teams for her daughter and grandchildren and co-led the Jordan Girl Scout troop.
In her free time Mary Ann enjoyed music of all kinds but especially that of the Syracuse Symphoria, nature (Baltimore woods), swimming, gardening and her hobby farm with a menagerie of animals who all had names (sheep, horses, pigs, cows, ducks, dogs, cats and a donkey).
In lieu of flowers the family asks that people consider donations in her name to one or two of her favorite volunteer passions: the Jordan Memorial Pool (Veterans Memorial Pool, P.O. Box 561, Jordan, NY 13080) and the Baltimore Woods Nature Center (baltimorewoods.org 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY 13108-0133).
Mary Ann chose to donate her body to Upstate Medical Center and will continue to teach even in death. A celebration of life memorial service followed by a reception will be held at the Jordan United Methodist Church, Jordan, N.Y., on July 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a reception at the church.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
