DANOWITZ, Mary Ann (Mitzi) arrived in this world on January 4, 1921, and was welcomed to her eternal reward on March 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Atlantic City, NJ she was preceded in death by Edward Danowitz, Sr., her loving husband of 67 years, her parents, Alexander and Margaret Kellenyi and her brothers Joe and Bernie Kellenyi. Mitzi is survived by her sister, Patricia Chernavsky, and by her children Mary Ann Danowitz, Joan Jones, Nancy Williamson, Sharon Haffey, and Edward Danowitz, Jr., 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.
Mitzi attended schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High. With the advent of World War II, she joined the U. S. Army Signal Corps Lab at Fort Monmouth, NJ and travelled extensively as a member of the Army's research team to expand the nation's radar capabilities. Following her Army service, Mitzi married First Lieutenant Ed Danowitz, U. S. Marine Corps, a classmate from her high school days, on June 1, 1946. Ed and Mitzi moved frequently, with Mitzi setting up 29 different homes in the states and overseas. When Ed was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain, Mitzi also became a member of the Diplomatic Corps and hosted international dignitaries at the embassy residence and at their home. With Ed's retirement from the Marines, they moved to Altamonte Springs, Florida where he joined the Rollins College faculty. Mitzi regularly opened their home to Ed's Russian students and accompanied the students to the Soviet Union during study-abroad programs. Mitzi enjoyed golf and, as a member of the Rolling Hills Golf Club, frequently played with her husband and her many women friends in the "Niners". Most of all she loved God and her church. A devoted member of Saint Mary Magdalen parish in Altamonte Springs since 1971, she attended mass regularly. As a long-term member of the St. Vincent de Paul Circle and the Altar Committee, Mitzi enjoyed her many hours preparing for and working at the Fall Festival. Mitzi lived life to the fullest and shared the best of her life with her family and dearest friends. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and GiGi (great grandmother) she will be well remembered as a kind, loving and devoted woman and will be sorely missed. Her husband of 67 years described her with words from the Book of Proverbs, 31-29 – "Many women have done admirable things but you have surpassed them all".
Services will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, Florida on Monday, March 18, 2024. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m.to be followed by a funeral mass at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to the charity of your choice.