Mary Ann Davis Van Siclen

Mary Ann Davis Van Siclen, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Her daughters were holding her hands as she quietly slipped away.

Mary Ann was born on February 27, 1944, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to George T. Davis and Marian Gieseman Davis. She was raised in Terre Haute in a close and loving family, growing up alongside her sister and surrounded by cousins and friends. Those early years were filled with family gatherings, lasting friendships, and a love of horses that began in Indiana and remained with her throughout her life. While attending Thornton Junior High School, Mary Ann was chosen as Basketball Homecoming Queen. She later graduated from Wiley High School with the Class of 1962, where she served as president of the Junior Woman’s Club and was selected as a Cotillion Princess. These early experiences reflected the warmth, confidence, leadership, and natural ability to connect with people that would remain part of Mary Ann throughout her life.

She began her college career at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio. She then went on to Purdue University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. While at Purdue, she joined Alpha Chi Omega, where she formed lasting friendships that she treasured for decades. Committed to lifelong learning, she later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1985, followed by a Master of Management from the University of Dallas in 1990. She also earned the prestigious Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) designation, reflecting her dedication to professional excellence.

Mary Ann and her husband made their home in Arlington, Texas, after relocating from California in 1978. Together they built a life centered on family, education, service, generosity, and cherished friendships.

She enjoyed a distinguished career with Lockheed Martin, where she served as a Small Business Administrator and later as an Advanced Planner until her retirement in 2003.

Her greatest legacy, however, was her extraordinary commitment to serving others. For nearly two decades she devoted herself to the University of Texas at Arlington Alumni Association, serving as Secretary, President-Elect, President, Emeritus Director, Life Member, and Circle of Pride Member. As Alumni Association President in 1997, she had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Texas Rangers game, proudly representing the university she loved. In 2006, the University of Texas at Arlington recognized her exceptional service with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

Her leadership and commitment to higher education extended beyond the Alumni Association. She was a member of the Chancellor’s Council for The University of Texas System and a founding board member of the Dream Makers Committee for the College of Nursing at the University of Texas at Arlington, helping to advance educational opportunities for future healthcare professionals.

Mary Ann believed deeply that education transforms lives. Together with her husband, she established the Van Siclen–Davis Family Endowed Scholarship, honoring both the Davis and Van Siclen families while creating lasting opportunities for students pursuing degrees in engineering, business, and nursing. Few things brought her greater joy than meeting scholarship recipients and witnessing the impact education had on their lives.

Her dedication to serving others extended throughout the Arlington community. She served on the Board of Directors of Arlington Life Shelter, helping support individuals and families working to rebuild their lives through compassion, dignity, and financial stability.

One of Mary Ann’s greatest passions was mentoring young people. She spent many years volunteering with the Girl Scouts’ Circle T Council as an assistant leader alongside Ann Thomas, helping guide Troops 88 and 726. Through years of camping, service projects, leadership development, and countless hours of encouragement, she helped shape young women who earned the organization’s highest achievements, the Girl Scout Silver Award and Gold Award. She was a director for Arlington Teen Court and served on the Board of Directors for Theatre Arlington, encouraging leadership, confidence, creativity, and service in the next generation.

During retirement, Mary Ann and her husband traveled extensively, embracing new cultures, making lifelong friendships, and reconnecting with University of Texas at Arlington alumni around the world. She also enjoyed playing duplicate bridge with the Arlington Woman’s Club and other bridge groups throughout Texas and California.

Those who knew Mary Ann will remember her quiet strength, gracious spirit, thoughtful leadership, unwavering integrity, and genuine kindness. She never sought recognition for herself. Instead, she believed the greatest measure of success was helping others succeed. Whether mentoring students, encouraging young people, supporting her community, or simply offering a listening ear, she left every person and every organization better than she found them.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert “Bob” Van Siclen; her daughter Sarah A. Saleem and husband Karam, and their children Adam and Layla; her daughter Christine M. Cullen and husband Patrick; her sister Katherine Davis Trkula and husband Robert; and extended family members, dear friends, former colleagues, fellow volunteers, scholarship recipients, and community members whose lives were enriched by her generosity, wisdom, and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts to the Van Siclen–Davis Family Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas at Arlington, continuing Mary Ann’s enduring belief that education is one of the greatest gifts we can give.

https://give.uta.edu/vansiclen