Mary Anne Besl

Mary Anne (Hollstegge) Besl, age 98, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2025, at her residence.

Born September 16, 1926, in Cincinnati, Mary Anne was the beloved wife of the late William E. Besl and daughter of the late Joseph and Lucille Hollstegge. She was preceded in death by her siblings James (Marilyn), Allen, Robert (Joyce), and Joan Hollstegge; her sons Daniel (Teresa) and Michael (Debra) Besl; and son-in-law Robert Alban.

She is survived by her children Kathy Alban, Therese Swebilius, Linda (William) Peters, William (Carol) Besl, Marysue (Dan) Price, Judith (John) King, and Timothy (Anne) Besl. She was a proud grandmother to Jennifer, Heather, Samantha, Christopher, Ryan, April, Carolyn, Kathryn, Stefan, Mary Clare, Brittany, William, Maria, Ellie, Joseph, Sophie, Alex, Thomas, Hugh, Andrew, Francie, and Mia, and a doting great-grandmother to 13. She is also survived by her dear sister, Ruth (Robert) Brockman. Mary Anne’s greatest joy was her family. She poured her love and energy into raising her children, cherished the role of grandmother, and delighted in her great-grandchildren.

Mary Anne grew up in Westwood, where she was baptized at St. Catherine Church, before moving to Mt. Airy to live with her beloved aunts—Helen, Loretta, and Olivia Schinner—where she attended Little Flower School. Across the street from the Besl family, she met Bill beginning a love story that shaped her life. A 1945 graduate of Mercy High School, she began her career working at Lotton’s Department Store, Mabley & Carew, and Union Central Life Insurance. In her late twenties, her time working in California sparked the lifelong love of travel that would carry her across the world.

With Bill, she created a loving home and raised her robust family in Mt. Airy, Finneytown, and Indian Hill. After his passing, Mary Anne moved extensively around Cincinnati’s east side, remaining close to her children and grandchildren who were the heart of her life. Together, she and Bill shared a passion for exploring the world—traveling across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand. After Bill’s death, she carried on that love of travel by taking countless cruises and trips with family and friends.

Mary Anne was a proud member of Maketewah Country Club for more than 60 years, where she led many of the club’s social activities and built lifelong friendships. She loved playing cards, golfing, decorating, and hosting countless events and parties, always bringing people together with her warmth and enthusiasm. Beyond the club, she chaired and led numerous charitable events, lending her time and talents to causes such as the Charity Ball, Bengal Bash, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Xavier High School, and Ursuline Academy. Her generosity and vibrant spirit touched everyone she met.

Of all her many journeys, the one she cherished most was the journey of family, whose love and traditions will carry on as her enduring legacy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. by Fr. Jeffry Kemper at St. Margaret of York Church, 9483 Columbia Road, Loveland, Ohio. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati. Family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to Mass at St. Margaret of York Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).