FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MaryAnn Durso, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Collier County Passed into God’s Arms Thursday May 29, 2008
Date: Friday, May 30, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 30, 2008

 For more information contact: Brian Morrison

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County

(239) 775-0036 Fax (239) 775-0477

bmorrison@hfhcollier.com

MaryAnn Durso, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Collier County Passed into God’s Arms Thursday May 29, 2008

 Mary Ann Durso (nee Martin) passed into God’s arms on Thursday, May 29, 2008.  She was born in Methuen, Mass. on Jan. 20, 1944 to James and Mary Martin.  A proud alum of Elm’s College, she was a teacher and biochemist.  But her greatest achievement was raising her five children, followed by helping thousands of people in Collier County move out of substandard housing and into simple, decent homes of their own.  She often joked that after her husband sold his dermatology practice in Massachusetts and they moved to Marco Island, she thought she’d walk the beach and pass out his card to start up a new practice.  Little did she know that together they would make Habitat for Humanity of Collier County their life’s work, resulting in the provision of the most basic of human needs – shelter – for more than 1,100 families in Collier County.   As a full-time volunteer for 15 years, Mary Ann’s indomitable spirit guided this organization.  Her greatest inspiration was any child in need.  She advocated tirelessly for those whose voices are not heard, particularly children and families living in poverty.  She has been the recipient of innumerable honors and awards including the first Jefferson Award presented by the Naples Daily News and the first Volunteer of the Year recognized by Habitat for Humanity International.  She was an N Magazine Woman of Style and received the Robert C. Cosgrove Award for her tremendous work and advocacy.  In addition to her dedication to Habitat for Humanity, she was a member of Greater Naples Leadership and served as a Guardian Ad Litem.  She leaves a tremendous legacy in her husband of 42 years, Dr. Sam Durso, her five children Katie (Debbie), Sam III (Marybeth), Jeffrey (Tracy), Steve (Molly), Kara (Nick);  8 grandchildren (including two born this month) Andrew, Max, Ellie, Ryan, Cameron, Kaleigh, Olivia, Jack; brother James (Kathleen) Martin of Seabrook, N.H.; and many nieces and nephews.  Mary Ann will be missed by her extended family, her many dear friends, the thousands of individuals living in Habitat homes, and the volunteers and donors who have supported Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.  In her memory, we will continue to work until there is no child in Collier County who sleeps on a cold floor, whose whole family lives in one room, who suffers from terrible asthma because their trailer is covered with mold, or who goes without food to pay the rent.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 1, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  at Hodges Funeral Home on Marco Island.  Mary Ann’s life will be celebrated with a funeral mass at San Marco Catholic Church on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.   In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, 11145 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL  34113.