With a blend of sorrow and joy, Mary Ann Grancich departed from this life in her sleep at home on the morning of October 15, 2025. She was just two months away from her 95th birthday. Mary Ann was born on December 15, 1930, in San Pedro, California, to Danica and Leopold Katnich, and graduated from San Pedro High School in the winter of 1949.
At the age of 39, she became a widow following the unexpected passing of her husband, Joseph. Despite her loss, she dedicated her life to raising her four children: Joseph Jr., Janice, Geralyn, and Christine. Additionally, she played a significant role in the upbringing of her two grandchildren, Daniyel and Dakota.
Mary Ann had a passion for gardening, nurturing a yard filled with fruit trees, roses, and orchids. She often spent hours tending to her gardens, finding joy and solace in the natural beauty she cultivated. Her artistic side flourished through a stained glass class she attended for over 23 years, where she formed lasting friendships and discovered her talent in creating stunning stained glass pieces, including both smaller items and larger masterpieces.
Her love for cooking and baking was evident in her kitchen, where she utilized her own collection of cookbooks along with recipes from various sources, such as “Sunset Magazine.” She delighted in baking cookies and crafting pies and cobblers from the fruits harvested from her garden.
Mary Ann was known for her strength, humor, and radiant smile. She had a deep appreciation for music, enjoying genres ranging from reggae and Motown to punk rock. Some of her favorite artists included Roy Orbison, The Doobie Brothers, and particularly The Beatles, with George Harrison being her favorite member.
As her family reflects on her life, they find comfort in knowing that she has reunited with her beloved husband, who passed away fifty years ago on Veteran”s Day, along with other relatives and friends who preceded her in death. In the words of Willie Nelson, she was “The Last Leaf on the Tree.” Her family will always cherish her memory.
Funeral services will be held on November 8 at Calvary Cemetery, located at 4201 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023. Visitation is scheduled from 9 AM to 11 AM in Room A/B, followed by a Funeral Mass in The Chapel at 11:15 AM. A graveside service will take place after the Mass, with a reception to follow at Marie Callender”s on Restaurant Row in West Covina from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
