A celebration of life will be today for Mary Anne (Morgan) Rommel-Gibbs of Hermitage, formerly of Bay Village and Canton, Ohio, who died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, in UPMC Horizon, Farrell, after a valiant struggle with lung disease. She was 71. Mary Anne was the firstborn daughter of Otho H. Morgan and Nancy G. Shrigley in Elmira, N.Y., on March 6, 1943. Her sister, Patricia "DeeDee" (Morgan) Miller (Thomas), followed two years later. Mary Anne graduated from Lehman High School in Canton, and then went to Ohio State University in Columbus. She obtained her X-ray technologist degree and worked in that capacity for several years in Canton. In 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, William S. "Bill" Rommel. She began working for Sears Roebuck and Co. in 1968 in North Olmsted, Ohio, and lived with her husband and children in Bay Village until 1974. She notably became one of the first policewomen of Bay Village Police Department, along with her dear friend, Mary Ann Malinky. In 1974, she and her family moved to Hermitage, where she continued her career at Sears in the Shenango Valley Mall, working in the home entertainment department for many years. She and Bill divorced in 1981, and, in 1982, she accepted a position as a contract sales representative for Sears. Her territory included eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and eastern New York. She remained in that position until her retirement from Sears in 1999. In 1996, she married James "Jim" Gibbs of Hermitage, and they lived together until his death in 2000. Mary Anne was a member for more than 30 years of the Shenango Valley Charter Chapter of American Business Women's Association, serving as president twice and was named Woman of the Year in 1994. She was instrumental in forming Mercer County Women's Association, serving as president in 2011. She belonged to Jess's Monday Night golf league for more than 25 years and was elected president of the league many times. She was an enthusiastic bowler for 40 years, bowling at Thornton Hall in a morning league, then Jess's bowling league and with the Wild Bunch until 2008. Mary Anne was a "snowbird" and considered south Florida, where her daughter Lisa lives, as her second home and spent each winter there for more than 15 years. She spent her summers in her mobile home in Ashtabula, Ohio, and will be sorely missed by the good people at Jack's Marine and Keyster's Marina there. She was part owner of the North Star Mary charter fishing boat out of Ashtabula with her husband, Jim Gibbs, for several years. No accounting of Mary Anne's life would be complete without making mention of the friends she made everywhere she went. Affectionately known as "Mare," her quick wit, good humor and innate ability to make people laugh will be her legacy to all the lives she touched, no matter where she lived or traveled. Her friends were as dear to her as the air she breathed and enriched her life in many ways. She leaves: her two daughters, Lorie A. Rosales (Estuardo), Sharon; and Lisa M. Rugare (Joseph), Coconut Creek, Fla.; and her four grandchildren, Christian S. Rosales and Lauren A. Rosales, both Sharon; and Joseph A. Rugare IV and Cal W. Rugare, both Coconut Creek. She also leaves her beloved dog, Lilly, who is now in the care of Mary Anne's dear friend, Dianna Neil. Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents and very dear friend, Patricia Schuster, Hermitage. If a charitable donation would like to be made, the family suggests Meals on Wheels, where Mary Anne volunteered: Shenango Valley Meals on Wheels, 369 Buhl Blvd., Hermitage. Calling hours: 3 p.m. to time of service today (2-7-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Service: A time of remembrance and a celebration of Mary Anne's life will be at 5 p.m. today in the funeral home.