Mary Ann Mallory Ward Diener, 80, a lifelong resident of Ft. Myers, FL, passed away on May 20, 2012, surrounded by her daughters and sisters.Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, throughout her lifetime she owned and operated several small businesses, including the Sunbeam Court Motel, El Leon Hotel, Everglades Jungle Cruise, Boulevard Plaza Beauty Salon, as well as a number of rental properties. She was also a realtor at Chuck Bundschu Realty, and even obtained her cosmetology license after purchasing the Boulevard Plaza Beauty Salon.Until March 2012, Mary Ann also worked for Lee Memorial Health System as a patient sitter even as she continued to undergo regular chemotherapy.

Mary Ann was a loving mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, and a thoughtful neighbor. She was the mom and grandmom that anyone would be proud to have. She was the friend to go to for advice, a shoulder to cry on, or a good laugh. She was the neighbor who dropped by with a meal when someone was under the weather.

In her spare time, Mary Ann was an avid reader and movie goer, and was a member of The Film Society of Southwest Florida. Additionally, she enjoyed live theatre productions and museum tours. She was an excellent seamstress, who sewed for her daughters and others throughout her lifetime. Over the years, she volunteered at Lee Memorial Hospital in the emergency room, as well as at the Pink Bazaar, and also delivered food for Meals On Wheels. After her cancer diagnosis in 2008, she became an active member of her cancer support group, as was evidenced by the devotion of her support group friends in recent months.

Mary Ann is survived by her three daughters: Isabel Belinda Ward Hopkins, Kim Ward, and Melanie Ward Carta; son-in-law: Steve Carta; two sisters: Lenoir Keene and Sara Howerton; two sisters-in-law: Val Mallory and Sally Mallory; four grandchildren: Michael Ryan Harris, Stephanie, Luke and Will Carta; two great-grandchildren: Devon and Autumn Harris; former in-laws: Bill Moncrief, Editha and Albert Seyferth, Carol Ward Drueding, Joy and Dan Johnson, Kay Brown, and Jane and Hal Dever; as well as many nieces and nephews in both the Mallory and Ward families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank B. and Sara Summerour Mallory; her brothers, Frank and John (Bud) Mallory; son-in-law, John Rathbone Hopkins; husbands, Robert (Bob) Charlton Ward and Samuel Diener; nephew, Alan Keene; former in-laws: Mellie Mae (Nunna) and Guydice Rivers Ward, Elizabeth Ward Moncrief and William (Billy) Ward.

A celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Online condolences may be made at: www.horizonfunerals.com.