Ann Mason Stavely

Ann Mason Stavely passed away on May 7, 2017, at the age of 95.

Ann was born on Sept. 19, 1921, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Alvin Bisco Mason and Eula Crawford Mason. Her father was a contractor and builder, so the family moved around the Midwest, and Ann grew up in Minneapolis; Omaha, Neb., Evanston, Ill., Cincinnati, Ohio and Three Rivers, Mich.

Ann graduated from Iowa State in 1943 and moved to Schenectady, N.Y. where she worked for General Electric as an assistant engineer. There she met Earl Baker Stavely and married him in 1945. They moved to the Detroit area three years later and raised their three sons there.

After she and Earl fell in love with Arizona, they moved to Fountain Hills in 1973 and built a house. As early settlers, they enjoyed unspoiled desert and open views in all directions until the town filled in.

Ann and Earl were active members of the community as it was growing up. They were charter members of the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, and Ann served as a deacon and was a long-time member of the church choir.

With friends Sara Armstrong and Jane Haynes, Ann started the Desert Kettle, an early business in town. The Kettle featured homemade-style jams, jellies and other edibles made from local produce such as citrus, prickly pear and pyracantha, much of it from the women’s own yards and gardens. They sold Desert Kettle products to locals and visitors in their shop on Enterprise Drive, in other shops in Arizona and Colorado, and by mail-order all over the country.

Ann was a member of the Historical Society. She was a major force in creating the River Bank Store in the River of Time Museum, where she planned the shop space, purchased merchandise, and operated the shop with Earl. In 2007 she was inducted into the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame.

She was a charter member of the Fountain Hills Women's Club and served a term as president. She was active in one of the club’s first projects, the botanical garden west of Fountain Hills Boulevard.

With Jane Haynes, Ann helped form the Fountain Hills Herb Society. She led an exercise class, taught yoga, and performed with a local tap-dancing group. She helped in establishing the Fountain Hills High School library and volunteered there and in the Middle School library.

Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Earl, who passed away on Nov. 30, 2015. She leaves behind their son, Allan of Socorro, N.M.; their son, Donald and his wife, Carmen of Windsor, Colo.; their son, Kenneth and his wife, Kathleen of Queen Creek; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The family has had a private memorial.