Mary Ann Hackett, 94, of Jacksonville, passed away April 8, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Jacksonville. She was born in Carrollton, Illinois in 1931, the daughter of Leola B. and O. Everett Gibbs. She married John W. "Jack" Hackett in 1952, and he preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons John G., of St. Louis, Missouri; James W. (Diane), of Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Stevan S. (Cathy), of Jacksonville; four grandsons, Chad (Gosha), Daniel (Rachel), John K., and David, and one granddaughter, Katie; and four great-grandchildren, Landon, Emmerson, Carter, and Scarlet.

During Jack's service in the United States Air Force in the Korean War, Mary Ann lived in Japan, the time divided between the rural southern island of Kyushu and a base near Tokyo. While there, she developed a love for cooking, learning traditional techniques from local Japanese women. Many of the recipes she learned in Japan became family favorites and were later preserved in a cookbook she compiled for her sons. Mary Ann delighted in hosting, often preparing elegant meals for family and friends that ended in a few games of bridge. Her time abroad sparked a lifelong appreciation for travel and culture, a spirit that would later be shared by her sons, each of whom became avid travelers and pilots.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from MacMurray College for Women, a practical path encouraged by her father, though her early passion for art and design would remain a lifelong love. Mary Ann began her career within her husband's family businesses, first at Walton & Co. and later serving as the manager and merchandise buyer of The City Garden.

Drawn to design, she studied for two years under Charlotte Cleeland. Mrs. Cleeland, along with landscape artist Courtney Wright and noted gardener and artist Edna Herr, became important mentors and lasting influences in her life.

In retirement, her greatest joy was time spent with grandchildren, often in Colorado, occasionally in Mexico. Mary Ann was deeply drawn to both the mountains and the sea, and her paintings of landscapes and seascapes reflected that love. In addition to painting, her later years were devoted to writing. Her biography William 'Bill' Walton, A Charmed Life was published by Brandon Books of Boston in 2013. She was honored to speak at the Ernest Hemingway Foundation in Oak Park, Illinois, and took great joy in connecting with fellow authors.

A private memorial service will be held for family members at a later date. Memorials are suggested to The Art Association of Jacksonville, to support the continued growth of the arts in the community. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements.