Mary Ann Ettinger

Mary Ann Ettinger, 90, of Orange, Connecticut, died peacefully on Monday January 10, 2022. She was born July 2, 1931 in Aurelia, Iowa, daughter of the late Wesley Kenneth Nelson and Esther Christine Rolfs. 

Mary Ann was the eldest of 8 siblings. She grew up in Aurelia, graduating from the Aurelia Consolidated School in 1949. She then earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State College, majoring in Home Economics Education, in 1953. 

Mary Ann taught home economics in public school in Wapello, Iowa for 3 years. She then moved to Madison, Connecticut and taught in public school there for 6 years.

While teaching in Madison, she spent several summers earning a Master’s of Arts and Liberal Studies degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She graduated in 1965.

During that same time Mary Ann met Alan Ettinger in Madison. They married in 1958 and raised their family in Madison.  Mary Ann designed their home, complete with blueprints and a scale model. They had two children, Joel and Claire.

Mary Ann worked as a salesperson for Windsor Publications. She then worked for the University of Connecticut in different administrative positions. Mary Ann and Alan divorced in 1986. She then lived in Clinton, Manchester, New Haven and Orange, Connecticut.

Upon retirement she volunteered for the Manchester Garden Club, Citizens for a Greener Manchester and South Windsor Cultural Arts concerts. She also continued her lifelong passion for genealogy research and loved sharing her discoveries with her family.

Mary Ann is survived by son Joel Ettinger & wife Rachel Must-Ettinger, of Orange Connecticut and daughter Claire Sehringer & husband Gottfried, of Wayland Massachusetts; grandchildren Samuel and Jae Ettinger and Gabriel and Larissa Sehringer. Also survived by brothers Larry Nelson and David Nelson, sisters Marcia White and Gretta Earnest; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Predeceased by her parents; brothers Caroll, Noel and Craig Nelson; nephew Steven Nelson; former husband Alan Ettinger.

Family and friends may gather on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT. A Funeral Service will begin at 12 p.m. that day at the funeral home followed by a burial at West Cemetery, Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT.  Those who cannot attend the service may join us virtually at: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/. Event ID: Codywhitefh; Password: LH48P9 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mary Ann Ettinger, please visit our Tree Store.