This week our sweet Mary Anne Eaton, a beloved PenFed agent in our Dallas office, was laid to rest. Mary Anne joined our company at its inception in 1988 and has been a Real Estate Legend and dear friend to us all. Her laughter and kindness will be missed greatly.
Mary Anne Dowlen Eaton was born in Windom, Texas March 3, 1928. She was born at her parents' home and was delivered into the world by her grandfather Dr. Henry Leeman who was a horse and buggy doctor with an office in Bonham, TX. She was preceded in death by her dad and mother Claude and Lonetta Dowlen, her husband Maurice Eaton, and her son Dennis Eaton.
Mary Anne grew up in Windom and attended high school in Honey Grove where she met her husband Maurice. They married young as Maurice joined the Marine Corp where he was assigned to the grim task of fighting for his country in Iwo Jima. She raised two sons Danny and Dennis. After the war the family moved to Paris and then to Midland then back to Paris due to a three year drought in Midland making it very hard to make ends meet on the family farm raising cotton and running a dairy farm.
Upon returning to Paris she started two companies with Maurice. They embarked upon a construction company venture Eaton-Cline- Eaton Construction and a glass shop Eaton Glass Company in the early 50's in Paris. Both these companies were successful and some of their projects still remain viable today in North eastern Texas and Southeastern Oklahoma. She moved to Dallas in 1965 where she got into the food business starting with a drive inn restaurant named Phillips Drive Inn. From there she went on to start another restaurant named Tumble In and later on managed a restaurant located in North Park named Bagelnosh.
During this time from 1968-1982 her son Danny achieved success in the Music business with a great deal of help from her. In the mid 70's the two worked hand in hand in the music business with her concentrating on backstage catering and T- shirt sales for various touring attractions including The Police, The Clash, Neil Diamond, Eagles and countless other great music stars. In the midst of this part of her career she also obtained her real estate license. She originally aligned herself with Paula Stringer leading to a career with Merril Lynch.
If you haven't guessed by now Mary Anne was a hardworking, straight ahead individual who was as honest as the day is long. To know Mary Anne was to love her. It has been said that Will Rogers never met a man he didn't like; well, Mary Anne never met a person who didn't like her. She was a simple, great lady who was truly the embodiment of the golden rule. Her life was devoted to selflessly taking care of her family, friends and associates.
In 1983 Danny had a daughter named Rachel Nicole Eaton and of course Mary Anne had a granddaughter who quickly became her whole world. Early on every time Mary Anne would see Rachel she would say "Hi Sugs" and every time they left each other's company Mary Anne would say:
"Love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck".
Well, Rachel turned the tables on Mary Anne and started calling her Sugs. The name stuck and the whole family started calling her Sugs. She 100% lived up to that name as she was without a doubt one of the sweetest people who have ever walked among us. Sugs took Rachel all over the world. They traveled extensively abroad and she did more than her part in raising Rachel and opening her eyes to many, many adventures.
Sugs legacy continues as "Suggies", her new nickname which is given by her great-grandson, Collin Koch. Her smile was infectious when they laughed together and as they spent time together.
Mary Anne's fierce loyalty is demonstrated by just how many "best friends" she has left behind Lyndah Orhms, Vicki Marchman (who she literally adopted as daughter), Ron Mitchel, Don Coan, Peggy Jones, Rand Fleming, Suzette Brewer, Rick Adams, Bob and Martha Regan, Mary and Jay Boy Adams, Rachel Eaton, great grandson, Collin Koch and Danny Eaton to scratch the surface in mentioning just a few who called her their best friend. We are all saddened and grieve the loss of this dear friend to so many but we can all take a little comfort and solace in the fact that this life lived so well has left so much bright presence and light in the world that our darkness and grief is somewhat lessened in intimately knowing this radiant soul of a beautiful human being Mary Anne "Sugs" Eaton.
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