ATLANTIS, FL — Mary Anne D’Alton, 91, of Atlantis, FL passed away of natural causes on September 1, 2020. She was born May 2, 1929 in Archibald, LA.
After graduating from the University of Missouri, Mary Anne spent several years as an airline stewardess. On one particular flight, she accidentally dropped the intercom microphone on a passenger’s head—Army Lieutenant Austin L. D’Alton III. By the end of the flight, Mary Anne agreed to a date with Austin and a few weeks later, surprised him in Tokyo where he was stationed. In Tokyo, Austin proposed. The two spent fifty years together until Austin’s passing in 2005.
Mary Anne loved to travel, was a Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sister, a Life Master Bridge Player, an active churchgoer, volunteered often, was an avid golfer, alpine, cross country, and water skier. She and Austin were also known for their elegance in ballroom dancing, and danced together on many occasions.
Mary Anne and Austin designed and built a beautiful house on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire in the early 1970s. The family spent many summers water skiing on the lake in their 1955 Century Coronado speedboat, and many winter weekends skiing at Mt. Sunapee and King Ridge. She and Austin retired to the lake in the 1990s, and became active members of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club and Lake Sunapee Country Club.
Mary Anne is predeceased by the love of her life, Austin L. D’Alton III, her mother, stepfather, sister, brother-in-law, and numerous close friends.
She is survived by her son Austin L. D’Alton IV and his wife, Amy, her daughter Andrea L. D’Alton, six grandchildren, her great-grandson, nephew, cousins, and many friends whom she loved dearly.
A private ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online or by mail at: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.