MARY ANNE FOSTER SCOTT JOHNSON

Mary Anne Foster Scott Johnson, 86, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 16, in her New Rochelle home. Mary Anne gave much during her lifetime, dedicating herself not only to family but to the preservation of the natural beauty of Westchester County.

Mary Anne was born on April 3, 1918 to Frank Lewis Scott and Helen Newell McKirahan of New Rochelle. A graduate of New Rochelle High School, Mary Anne attended Connecticut College as a French major and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She served as class vice-president during her senior year.

Although she married her husband of 64 years, James "Jimmy" Johnson, Jr., in 1940, Mary Anne first spotted him at a friend's birthday party when they were children. A marriage of great love followed, producing four children: Carol Johnson Ornitz, James Johnson III, William Johnson, and the late Robert Johnson. After residing in Washington, D.C., and Paris, France, they settled in Larchmont in 1955.

Conservation and environmental education were some of Mary Anne's contributions to Westchester County. She was one of the original members of the Conservation Advisory Commission, formed in 1964 to help build a "land of learning" on what is now the Sheldrake River Trails. She later served as "member emeritus" and remained on the Commission's Board until 1994.

Mary Anne knew that education was a vital component of preservation. A naturalist known as the "Lady With Funny Hats" to many of the children she taught, Mary Anne developed instruction courses and recruited aides to work with the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Nature Council (now the Sheldrake Environmental Center). She led walks for children and adults, developed slideshows, and participated in numerous community cleanups. Mary Anne passed her love for the outdoors to her children and grandchildren. Along with friends, Mary Anne and Jimmy jointly purchased 145 acres of land on a farm in Gilmanton, N.H. The property is now protected through an easement with the New Hampshire Audubon Society and served as a quiet refuge for Mary Anne and Jimmy in later years.

Among other affiliations, Mary Anne served as co-chair of the Mamaroneck-Larchmont Heritage Council, on the Premium River Coordinating Committee and was a founding member of the Premium River-Pine Brook Preservation Association. She authored numerous environmental articles and was an unwavering lobbyist for conservation. In 1995, Larchmont mayor Cheryl W. Lewy proclaimed October 29 to be "Mary Anne Johnson Day."

She was also very active in her church community at St. John's Episcopal Church in Larchmont. Mary Anne was an enthusiastic Sunday School teacher for many years.

Mary Anne is survived by a host of family and friends: her husband James, children Carol, Jay, and Bill; son-in-law Dr. Robert Ornitz; grandchildren Mark Ornitz, Diana Ornitz Smith, Sean Johnson, and Hayden Johnson.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 19 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm at Fox Funeral Home, 2080 Boston Post Rd., in Larchmont. The funeral will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, November 20 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 4 Fountain Square, in Larchmont. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the church or to the Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 Weaver Street in Larchmont. A memorial walk will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 21, at the Sheldrake Environmental Center

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