Obituary

Mary Ann Fiery, 77, passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Homewood at Plum Creek Nursing Center, Hanover, PA. Born April 1, 1933 in Gadsden, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Michael A. Barker, Sr. and the late Caroline Eleanor Freeman Barker. She was the loving wife of Donald E. Fiery to whom she was married for 55 years. She graduated from the Misses Howard's Preparatory School in Birmingham, Alabama in 1950 and the attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In 1954, she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree and graduated cum laude from the University of Montevallo, with a double major in piano and voice.

Mrs. Fiery moved with her family to Hanover in 1968 and continued to live here until her death. She was quite active in community affairs, serving as Treasurer and President of the VNA; member and President of the Hanover School Board; assistant treasurer and life member of the Hanover Hospital Auxiliary; Secretary and Board Member of Clearview Terrace, a founding member of the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center; member of the Alumni Board of the University of Montevallo and the Society of 1896; member, vice president and trustee Emeritus of the Pennsylvania Academy of Music in Lancaster; life member of the Hanover Historical Society and a life member of the York Symphony Association. She also belonged to the Hanover Country Club.

She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church where she served on the Church Council and various committees. She taught Sunday School, sang in the Sanctuary Choir and was both a lector and a Eucharistic minister. In 2003, she became a founding member of Sweet Charities of Hanover, Inc. and served as vice-president of that organization.

Prior to moving to Hanover, she taught piano lessons privately for 15 years. She then began doing duo-piano concerts with Joan Bowman, and their collaboration lasted over 30 years. In 1991, they joined forces with Nancy Leister and Joyce Elsner, performing music for two pianos and eight hands under the name DUO TIMES TWO. The four pianists presented many concerts in Hanover as well as New York, North Carolina and Alabama.

Mrs. Fiery is survived by her husband Donald, and three children, Carolyn F. Shearer and husband Kevin of Ellicott City, Maryland, Michael D. Fiery and wife Lynn of Hanover, PA, and Leisl F. Staub of Hanover; five grandsons, Bradley James Shearer, Nathan Donald Shearer, Brian Michael Shearer, Logan Ellis Fiery and Sean Michael Fiery; a niece, Carolyn Lee Barker and a nephew, James Michael Barker, both of Naples, FL. She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael A. Barker, Jr.

Following Cremation, there will be a memorial service at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 West Chestnut Street, Hanover, PA at 11AM, Saturday October 2, 2010, with the Rev. Matthew B. Pensinger officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Matthew Organ Fund, 30 West Chestnut Street, Hanover, PA 17331, or the Sweet Charities Cancer Patient Fund, PMB #154, 1150 Carlisle Street, Suite 5, Hanover, PA 17331

The Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA has been entrusted by the family with the funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.