Resident Spotlight
It’s hard not to smile when Mary Anne Hitt is around—her warmth fills every room, and her stories always seem to lead to laughter. Born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, Mary Anne was the eldest of three children, with a younger brother and sister who remember her as both a caretaker and a friend. Her sister, Sally, fondly recalls that Mary Anne was always quick to lend a hand and enjoyed caring for others. Mary Anne herself once said, “I always took care of my little sister, Sally. I cared for her just like she was my baby. Momma always said she had her just for me!” Compassion, generosity, and a knack for caring for others came naturally to Mary Anne, traits that would shape her life and career.
After graduating from Anniston High School in 1952, Mary Anne set her sights on Auburn University, where she majored in Home Economics and graduated in 1956. Her heart for service led her to Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked as a social worker for the State of Florida Welfare Department for a decade. It was there that she met Elizabeth Taylor—not the actress, but a friend who would inspire a new adventure. Elizabeth encouraged Mary Anne to join the United States Army and put her talents to work in a new way.
Mary Anne’s first assignment with the Army took her across the Atlantic to France. Stationed on a military base as the Social Club Director, she embraced the opportunity to live and work abroad. Never one to let an adventure pass her by, Mary Anne bought a blue Volkswagen Beetle and spent her off days exploring Europe with friends by her side. From France and Germany to Switzerland, England, and Italy, she made the most of every moment, collecting memories and stories from every stop along the way.
In March of 1966, history intervened. When President DeGaulle removed French armed forces from NATO control, U.S. troops (and their clubs) were ordered out of France. Mary Anne was assigned to Special Services and tasked with the monumental job of packing and clearing out the base. With a team of soldiers and a supply truck, she managed the move with her trademark determination and good humor.
Returning to her hometown, Mary Anne took on the role of Service Club Director at Fort McClellan, running the club on Noble Street in Anniston for a decade. She remained in this role until the base’s closure under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC), leaving an indelible mark on the community she loved.
Today, Mary Anne is a beloved resident at Legacy Village of Jacksonville, where her enthusiasm for life is as bright as ever. She delights in meeting new people, joining social events, and sharing in the day’s fun—especially when her favorite activity director, Robbie (“my Miss America”), brings in her little white dog. “I want one just like him!” Mary Anne says with a smile.
Throughout her life, Mary Anne has found joy in people and in having a good time. Her compassionate nature, her love for laughter, and her enduring spirit continue to inspire those around her. Legacy Village of Jacksonville is lucky to have such a vibrant soul in its midst—a woman whose heart has always been open to new friends, new adventures, and new ways to make life a little brighter for everyone she meets.
