Maryann C. Fuerstenberg

July 1, 1932 - October 15, 2017

Maryann Cecelia Fuerstenberg (nee Warren) of Vallejo, California passed away on Sunday October 15 at the age of 85. She will be greatly missed by her beloved husband, David Fuerstenberg, devoted daughter Holly Fuerstenberg Osen, son-in-law Eric Osen and grandchildren Caroline and David. Maryann was a lifelong resident of Vallejo. She was born on Nebraska street to Katherine and Erwin Warren in the home of her aunt Nita. Maryann attended Vallejo public schools, graduating Vallejo High School with the class of 1951. Shortly after high school, Maryann began work for the U.S. Naval Shipyard on Mare Island as a messenger. She soon moved over to the Comptroller’s office where she worked in the accounting department for 34 years. Maryann was the second generation to work at Mare Island. Maryann’s mother worked in support of the war effort during WW II making gas masks and mattresses for the US troops. Maryann grew up surrounded by family and spent a lot of time with her family throughout her life. She had many cousins in the area, and family gatherings were a major part of her social life. Growing up Maryann and her cousins spent many summers at Lake County where the families stayed in vacation cabins. Later she spent summers in Modesto with her childhood and lifelong friend Bea and her brother Vito working in the fruit orchards packing fruit and enjoying each other’s company. There would be many trips to Modesto over the years to visit friends always ending in a late-night home with a car full of fruit (peaches wrapped in gold foil and apricots). Maryann first met her husband at a youth gathering at her church. That first meeting didn’t go well for Dave, but he would soon get a second chance with Maryann. Dave’s chance came when Maryann wanted to leave a subsequent gathering early, and he offered to take her home. They began to see each other regularly after that. Maryann and Dave were married October 10, 1954 at Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, in the same parish where she grew up. Maryann was devoted to her family and her home. For Maryann, family always came first. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She attended every one of their games and school plays that she could, and was involved with their school events, church functions and scouting activities. Maryann and Dave frequently took “Real estate vacations” looking for places where they might buy or build a home. Maryann and Dave built homes in Tahoe, Lake County, Aptos and finally in Bodega – where they enjoyed their vacation home for 30 years. Home base was always in Vallejo where they built homes on El Camino Real and then on Serra Court where they lived for 40 years. In retirement Maryann loved to travel. She and Dave visited 49 of the 50 states. Maryann especially loved meeting the people in the towns where they visited. Alaska, Glacier National Park and Canada were among their favorite places. Maryann and Dave also enjoyed playing golf – Maryann even got a hole-in-one at the 7th hole at Bodega Harbour Golf links. Maryann spent a lot of time enjoying her garden and had a deep love for animals. Most important to Maryann was her family, especially her daughter, Holly. Maryann and Dave enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Every night before bed, Maryann told Dave how lucky they were. Funeral Mass will be held 11 AM Friday, October 27 at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 1230 Nebraska St., Vallejo. If you would like to make a donation in Maryann’s honor, please send to: Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html?sc_icid=wtg-lz-memorials USO: https://www.uso.org/donate/next/?sc=WW14IMOIHO