Mary Ann Ayd

Mary Ann Ayd, nee Scholl, 76, of Towson, Md., died at home surrounded by her children on August 23, 2023. She was born January 21, 1947, in Seattle. Mary Ann was a devout Catholic known for her wisdom, intelligence, and great sense of humor. She was a supportive and patient mother, a loving grandmother, and dear friend. She enjoyed gardening, reading, attending all the special events of her family, and studying her Catholic faith. Mary Ann attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Chula Vista, Calif. before moving overseas with her parents. She attended the American Community School Beirut in Lebanon and the Marymount International School Rome in Italy where she met Joseph Michael Ayd, Sr. whom she later married after returning to the United States. Mary Ann received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Before her role as a writer/editor for MedChi (Maryland State Medical Society), she was a writer/editor for her former father-in-law, Dr. Frank Ayd, Jr. She later worked as an award-winning writer and editor at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Marketing and Communications where she retired as the Assistant Director of Editorial Services after 20 years of service. Mary Ann also did freelance ghost writing and copy editing, including for an author at NYU. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Theodore Scholl, a decorated World War II Army Air Force pilot who served in the Pacific Theater, and her mother Leoda Mary Scholl, who also served in the Army during World War II. Mary Ann was a beloved parishioner, communicant, and volunteer at The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson where she served as an Adorer in the Adoration Chapel, a member and Vice President of Sodality, a member of Seven Sisters, a respected and knowledgeable contributor to the Coffee and Conversation ministry, and lead the rosary at Divine Mercy at Adoration. She was a devoted supporter of the FOCUS program, Fellowship of Catholic University Students, which sends missionaries to college campuses to invite and support students into a lifelong relationship with Jesus.

Mary Ann is survived by her former husband, Joseph Michael Ayd Sr., and their 5 children: son Joseph Michael Ayd, Jr. and his wife Ellie of Towson, Md.; daughter Nina Ayd Johanson and her husband Chris of Catonsville, Md.; son Theodore Joseph Ayd and his wife Cara of Lutherville, Md; daughter Marianne Maranto and her husband Dave of Baldwin, Md.; and son Carey Eugene McElroy and his wife Stephanie of Pacifica, Calif. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren: Joseph, Matthew, Alex, Casey and her husband Tim, Ashlyn, Jack, Erin, Jessica, Daniel, Emily, and one great-grandchild, Isabel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday September 8, 2023 at 10:00am at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Avenue, Towson, Md., 21204.

Memorial donations can be made to FOCUS: Fellowship of Catholic University Students PO Box 17408 Denver, Co. 80217 https://focus.org/give/ways-to-give/