Mary Ann Cornwell Irvine
08/18/1924 - 06/24/2017
Scottsdale, AZ
Mary Ann joined her Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at the age of 92. She was born in 1924 in Bridgeton, NJ, attended Bridgeton High School, obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Trenton State Teachers College in 1943, and did graduate study at New York University and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She and her husband, J. Richard, were married in Bridgeton in 1945.

Mary Ann was an exuberant ‘people person’ who loved showing hospitality, cultivating a garden, traveling the world, and serving the Lord. She was a gifted musician and a visionary teacher.

In 1943, Mary Ann became music teacher, choral director, and marching band leader at Woodstown School (Woodstown, NJ). In 1951, she went to Tehran, Iran with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Board of Foreign Missions, when she and her husband received appointments for the Community School. They remained at Community School until 1967.

Alongside Richard, Mary Ann then launched the Iranzamin Tehran International School, one of the seven founding International Baccalaureate schools. Mary Ann was the first teacher worldwide to implement the IB music program and administer the examinations to her students. In the late 1970s, Mary Ann served as principal of Iranzamin’s elementary school.

During the 1980s, Mary Ann was a substitute teacher at Payson High School (Payson, AZ) and directed choirs at the International School Moshi and St. Margaret’s Church (Moshi, Tanzania, East Africa). She then accompanied her husband to New York City and Athens, Greece where he served as Upper School Head of the Alan & Stevenson School for Boys and Headmaster of the American School in Athens.

In 1989, Mary Ann and Richard retired to Pine, AZ. In the 1990s, she became the director of the Payson Choral Society and led the choir at Community Presbyterian Church (Payson, AZ).

Mary Ann’s love for people, her passion for music and for teaching, and her adventurous spirit were inspirational. When receiving the mission call to Iran, she said, “Here am I. Send me.” This exemplified her creative heart for service.

A former student wrote: “Mrs. Irvine was more than a teacher, role model, and mentor. She was the spirit that kept all that was dear and precious! She reminded us constantly of all that was important to honor. Her gifts to me were priceless; I cherish every moment of laughter, music, and stories told at her bountiful dinner table.”

Mary Ann is survived by her husband, J. Richard; her children John (Leslie), David (Deana), Robert (Ruth Ann), Catherine (Theodore) Deddens; sixteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Diane Irvine; and by several nephews. She is predeceased by her parents William and Lily, brothers William and John, and sons Marc and Thomas.

A Memorial will be held Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 11:00 a.m. in the Grace Chapel of Scottsdale Bible Church (Scottsdale, AZ). Those wishing to give a remembrance may make donations in her memory to “Pinnacle Community Church,” Pinnacle & The Farsi Christian Church, 13819 N. 63rd Place, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

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