Mary Ann (Ann) Hartley Zumbrun, 91, of Riverside, passed away from cancer complications surrounded by her children on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Timber Ridge in McKinleyville.

Born on September 14, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Elva Hartford Hartley and Harold (Chick) Hartley. Ann was the beloved wife of the late Ronald A. Zumbrun, with whom she shared 62 wonderful years of marriage.

Ann graduated from Pomona College in 1956, pinned and engaged to the love of her life, Ron. Driven by her lifelong interest in language and an “intrigue for how sign language could communicate and educate people who could not hear the spoken word,” she enrolled at Gallaudet College for the Deaf in Washington, D.C., and was a pioneer among the first cohort of hearing students ever admitted. Following her graduation and marriage to Ron, the couple relocated to Sacramento to start their family.

Ann dedicated 23 years to teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing children within the San Juan School District. After her initial retirement, her passion kept her involved as a part-time coordinator of sign language interpreters and a volunteer on a committee providing augmentative communication devices. She was a true visionary in her field, assisting in the integration of some of the very first classroom computers and championing groundbreaking technology to empower severely impaired students. In her words, she felt that working with people who shared her common interest in technology and language for the deaf kept her young, and she hoped to continue indefinitely.

Throughout her rewarding career, Ann also stood as a pillar of support for Ron’s successful law career. Together, over the years, the dynamic couple also became award-winning Harness Horse race owners and riders.

Upon finally “really” retiring, Ann and Ron moved to Humboldt County to be closer to family, joining their son Rick, daughter-in-law Barbara, and granddaughters Kyla and Karina.

Ann was known by all as an avid reader and an active member of several book groups. She was effortlessly elegant and stylish, and she took great joy in being a passionate, welcoming hostess to her family and friends. Quick-witted and sharp, in her final years, she became a certified shark at Rummikub and a whiz at puzzles and crosswords. Above all, Ann was a loving, supportive matriarch who fiercely loved her family.

She is survived by her children, Heidi, Rick, and Kevin Zumbrun; her siblings, Penny Bradley and Hal Hartley; and her cherished grandchildren, Kyla, Karina, Ben, Chloe, and Michael. Ann will be deeply missed by the entire Hartley, Hartford, Zumbrun, and Bradley family.