Mary Ann (Olin) Harrell

Mary Ann Olin Harrell was born January 14, 1923 in San Antonio, NM to Oliver J. and Mary Jane Olin and passed away May 15, 2017 in Albuquerque.

Her family moved to Albuquerque when she was eight, where she graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1939 and attended UNM for three years before working for the US Corp of Engineers during WW II.  She met and married her husband of 58 years, an Army man, Clarence Brock Harrell and moved for a few months to his home in North Carolina. However, her love of New Mexico, called them back permanently to Albuquerque to make a home and raise their family of three girls, Anna Jane, Cathleen Beth, and Melinda Lee.  She worked part time for an architect, before starting her own 30 plus year home business, Southwestern Typing Service.  Being civic minded, she joined the Chamber of Commerce and began her lifelong quest to "Keep New Mexico Beautiful", serving as the organizations Executive Secretary and Director, retiring in 1993.  Additionally she devoted countless hours to the open space program, culminating in the successful purchase of the Elena Gallegos Grant and other lands, for which she was presented the El Conquistador Reward for Excellence in Public Relations in 1982.  She also single handedly started the city’s first glass recycling program in 1970 and received several rewards, including the Lady Bird Johnson award for her dedication to beautification and conservation to the Land of Enchantment.  Mary was a perennial NM State Fair attendee for 70 years, and a lifelong member of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Mary Ann Harrell was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, having 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who lovingly called her "Nanny".  She is survived by two daughters and their families, Anna Jane Magruder and husband, David of Albuquerque, NM, Melinda Bryant and husband, Larry of Monument, CO; son-in-law, George Knipprath of Albuquerque; “adopted” daughter, Charlotte Notgrass; nieces, Mary Bishop and husband, Walt of MN and Marty Miller of Las Cruces, NM.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence B. Harrell; their daughter, Cathleen Knipprath; siblings, William J. Olin and Dorothy Burke; and her parents.

Friends may visit Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas.  Services will be Thursday, June 1, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.  Private burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 924 Menaul Blvd NE. Memorial contributions may be made to Keep New Mexico Beautiful Inc., PO Box 90924, Albuquerque, NM 87199-0924 or the Landscape Fund at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.