MaryAnn W. Morgan

MaryAnn White Morgan, 91, of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 2, at her home in Shepherdstown. She was born December 14, 1931, in Myerstown and was the only child of the late Francis N. and Mary C. White.

She served as the ever-present, faithful, and formidable matriarch of the Morgan Family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, musician, volunteer, and businesswoman. After spending what she refers to as an idyllic childhood growing up in Charles Town, she graduated from Charles Town High School in 1949. After a year at McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), she transferred to Shepherd University (formerly Shepherd College) and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She spent several summers studying at Peabody Conservatory. While a student at Shepherd, she accompanied many other music majors for recitals and musicals, skipped class to practice the organ, and played for a weekly show on the university’s radio station WSHC. She was a member of Phi Sigma Chi Sorority, now Sigma Sigma Sigma, and maintained close contact with her sorority sisters.

MaryAnn was married to Fire Chief D. Lee Morgan for over 47 years, which compelled her to advocate for and support all things related to the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department. Her role as the Chief’s wife came with endless responsibilities, behind-the-scenes work, and unmatched loyalty. It also created the need for her to always ride in her car to avoid getting stuck on a call.

MaryAnn was a member of the Young Homemakers Club (now CEOS); a long-time member of the Mecklenburg Garden Club and Potomac Garden Club, holding several offices; and a charter member of the Shepherdstown Chapter No. 155 Order of the Eastern Star. She served as District Director of West Virginia Garden Club, Inc. for two years and as Tour Director for the House and Garden Tour of Jefferson and Berkeley County for 19 years. She served on the Millbrook Orchestra Board of Directors for 10 years, seven as secretary and two as president.

MaryAnn always knew she wanted to be a church musician. Her first church service as the organist was for a wedding at just 14 years old. She continued her work as a church organist and choir director until her retirement in 2019 at 87. Her 73-year career included serving as organist and choir director at Otterbein Methodist, Martinsburg; St. Peter’s Lutheran, Shepherdstown, for 11 years; Zion Episcopal, Charles Town, for 28 years; Arden Methodist, Martinsburg; and Christ Reformed Church, Shepherdstown. Once while traveling in Switzerland with Lee, MaryAnn was asked to play the organ for a wedding in the small village of Sarnen.

MaryAnn was a piano teacher in the Eastern Panhandle area for more years than her family could count. She taught class piano in Montgomery County, Maryland, for seven of those years.

MaryAnn and her husband, D. Lee, owned and operated Morgan Construction Company for 35 years.

At the onset of her cancer diagnosis, MaryAnn chose to use red light therapy known as photobiomodulation or PBM. She firmly believed this innovative technology helped to reduce the initial spread of her cancer. She hoped her use of this technology would someday help others. This therapy is now provided by her alma mater, Shepherd University.

A collector of family history and historical documents, MaryAnn provided her children and grandchildren a complete genealogy and family history. This project grew to include four large volumes filled with precious stories about the family she cherished. To MaryAnn, family was everything.

She is survived by her children, D.L. Morgan, Jr. and wife, Tara; Francis Morgan; Ross Morgan and wife, Sara; and Holly Morgan Frye and husband, Jim; Grandchildren, Emma “Katie” Morgan; LeeAnn Morgan-Trainor and husband, Will; Taryn Morgan and wife, Ashlynn; Jacob Morgan and wife, Jacqueline; Zachery Morgan and wife, Priscilla; Justin Morgan and wife, Ashley; Trey Frye and wife, Danielle; and James Donovan Morgan Frye. She has 10 great-grandchildren Joey, Josie, Juliana, Teagan, Lyra, Renley, Leah, Evelynn, Foster, and Adelynn; and her niece, Heather Morgan McIntyre.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, D. Lee Morgan, and brother and sister-in-law Edward Morgan and Nancy Lou Moler Morgan of Charles Town.

Services will be held at New Street United Methodist Church, 202 W. New St., Shepherdstown, on Wednesday, June 7, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall, followed by the service at 11:00 A.M. with The Reverend Dee-Ann Dixon and granddaughter, Emma “Katie” Morgan officiating. A graveside service will occur at Elmwood Cemetery, followed by a luncheon and celebration at the Shepherdstown Fire Department Barron Hall.

Donations can be made in MaryAnn’s memory to the Shepherd University Foundation in care of the Student Success Center, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443, Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box F, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 or Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, WV.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com.