Houston Treasures

Mary Ann McKeithan

HOUSTON TREASURE FOR 2006

Photo by: Gittings

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Mary Ann Smith McKeithan, an Oklahoma native, began her volunteer service as a young woman. A brand new bride and Fashion Merchandising graduate of Oklahoma State University, Mary Ann passed up the world of fashion and launched a full-time volunteer career. Mary Ann and David, her husband of 43 years, moved from Tulsa to Houston in 1971. Mary Ann became instantly and intimately involved with the Junior League of Houston, from modeling on its runway to serving on the Junior League Area 5 Council.

She has also served on the Houston Symphony League Board continuously since 1971, including as President in 1998 and on the Symphony’s Board of Advisors and Executive Board, receiving the “Ellen Kelley Award” in 1999. She also served as president of the University of Houston’s “Friends of the School of Music” for two consecutive years. A passionate believer in public education, Mary Ann served as president of the Walnut Bend Elementary PTA and participated actively on the boards of Rogers Jr. High, Paul Revere Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School.

Mary Ann has successfully chaired many major benefits including the 1998 Houston Ballet “Un Grand Bal Russe,” several events for the Houston Grand Opera Guild and HGO, and the 2004 Cattle Baron’s Ball raising $1.6 million for American Cancer Society. She and David chaired “An Evening at the St. Regis” benefitting the Partnership at Baylor College of Medicine and the Literacy Advance Gala in 2003. In addition, Mary Ann has twice chaired Houston Symphony Balls, an Opening Night Gala, Neiman Marcus’ Hunt for Spring, and is presently chairing the 2006 Heart Ball. She was named as a Woman of Distinction by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in 1991 and as Ambassador in 2005.

Mary Ann loves spending time with David, their three daughters and sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren ranging in age from one month to 10 years.

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