Funeral Services for Mary Anita Lennon, 88, will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 23, 2017, at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Father Job Edathinatt officiating. Interment will be in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.
Mary Anita was a lifelong resident of Monroe and a well-known artist in our area, probably best remembered for her exceptional portrait work. She taught art for over 45 years at both the Carolyn Strauss Center and the Ouachita Council on Aging, and throughout her life served on numerous boards supporting the Arts in our area; and was very instrumental in helping establish the Masur Museum of Art here in Monroe. Many of her works can be found in private collections in New York, Long Island, Memphis, Mobile, as well as in Louisiana and Mississippi.
She studied Art at Webster College in St. Louis, Houston Art School, Traphagen Art School in New York, and the Art Student League, also in New York; and while in New York worked as a fashion illustrator before returning home in order to care for her ailing parents. Mary Anita was a care giver all her life possessing a true servant’s heart. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. It was once humorously said of her, that she was going to help you across the street whether you wanted to cross or not.
Ms. Lennon is preceded in death by her parents: father, Hugh Steve Lennon, and mother, Willie Lee Gipson Lennon; brother, Steve Lennon; sister, Nora Marie Inabnet; and niece, Anita Lee Inabnet.
She is survived by her beloved nephew, Hugh Lennon Inabnet, Sr., his three sons, great nephews, Lennon, Zachery, and Connor; and great nephew, Byron West and daughter, Nora Lee West, of Boston, Massachusetts; plus three devoted women, all sisters, who grew up as children under her loving influence and who have remained devoted and faithful to her even until her death, Linda Black Jagnow, Patricia Black Burnley, and Cindy Black; close friends, Sally and Glenn Gore; and her little companion dog, Saddie , a rescued dog who gave her so much joy.
If Mary Anita were to boast of anything, it would be in her savior, Jesus Christ, who was her ever present help throughout her life and who purchased for her life eternal.
Mary Anita will be long remembered and greatly missed.