MaryAnn Fulton

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of MaryAnn Fulton, affectionately known as “Nanny,” at age 85. Nanny spent her final days surrounded by her loving family, and passed away peacefully in the late evening hours of Tuesday, March 4, 2025 after a brief illness.

MaryAnn, the eldest of six children, was born on September 12, 1939, to Michael and Ethel Gavala in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Nanny always had a natural maternal instinct, and helped raise and care for her five younger siblings.

In 1957 she met and married the love of her life, Harry. MaryAnn and Harry went on to have four children, and in 1965 they moved their young family to Niles, Ohio.

MaryAnn was employed by Packard Electric until her retirement. After she retired, Nanny enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and she loved spending time outdoors on the beautiful deck Harry had built for her (in which he always made sure was covered in hanging plants and flowers).

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her love and life partner, Harry Paul Fulton Sr, who passed away in October 2019. Also preceding MaryAnn in death was her parents, Michael and Ethel Gavala; three brothers, Mikey (Doris) Gavala, John “Yunko” Gavala, and Paulie (Brenda) Gavala; and a daughter, Dana Jean Rossi.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and humor to be cherished by her two sisters Linda Rogers of Niles, Shirley (Billy) Klink of Girard; her three children, Sharon (Rick) Bullock of Niles, Harry Paul Fulton Jr. of Niles, and Kimberly (James) Tiernan of Niles; her seven grandchildren, Jason Rossi of Niles, Jamie Bortmas of Niles, Keith Smith of Maryland, Samantha Bright of New Middletown, Jordan (Heather) Fulton of Girard, Alissa Fulton of Florida, and Erin (Anthony) Durkin of Niles; and her five great-grandchildren, Samuel Sferra, Damian Hird, Jackson Bortmas, Payton Hird, and Everett Durkin.

Per MaryAnn’s wishes, there will be no services. Arrangements are to be handled by William Nicholas Funeral Home in Niles.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses and medical staff of the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph Mercy Health in Warren, Ohio for their exceptional kindness and the dignity they gave our Nanny in her final days.