Mary Deane Willis, family matriarch
Mary Deane Willis (nee Benson) was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Mansfield, Ohio. The only daughter of Albert and Deva Benson, she graduated from Ohio State University in 1956 with a BSN degree and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau honor sorority. She met George Eugene Willis and married April 27, 1957, at St. Luke Lutheran Church.
The couple moved to Dallas, Texas, where their first son, Charles Scott, was born. Another move to Houston, Texas, saw their daughter, Lea Ann, born. Soon thereafter, the family moved back to Mansfield and then to Shelby, Ohio, where Mary continued her nursing career. Short moves to Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, came next with a final move in 1967 to Springfield, Va. At this point, she told George she was ready to be settled and he had better not move the family again!
In 1970, the couple was blessed with their last son, Steven Drew. Mary and George were members of St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield, and very active in church activities and the choir. Mary was also a member and past president of Springfield Women’s Club. Many hours were spent on fundraising and social activities in which the entire family was involved. Life was very busy in the Willis household with Mary as the matriarch guiding the way. The house was always filled with love and laughter, and all were welcome.
Mary returned to nursing as the nursing supervisor at Annandale Family Medicine, where she worked for 15 years until her retirement in 2004.
After the death of her husband in 2007, Mary moved permanently to their beach house in Rehoboth Beach. There she continued her community and volunteering activities as an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes, where she had been knitting prayer shawls, watch cap sets for seamen, and contributing to the quilting group at the church. Mary was a competitive bridge player who played in multiple bridge groups weekly including the church and American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro.
Mary created many craft items for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including knitted or crocheted items, as well as tole painting wooden items. She always had multiple projects in the works.
Mary most enjoyed traveling with her sister-in-law and best friend, Betty Benson, and was an avid sports fan. Everyone knew of her love for “Lefty” Driesell and University of Maryland basketball team. In March, you would always find Mary at home watching the NCAA basketball tournament. During the fall football season, Mary cheered on OSU and enjoyed the legendary halftime shows with the band taking the field to spell out Ohio! She supported all the sports played by the children and grandchildren, and learned new sports and rules along the way.
Mary was able to spend this past Christmas with her family surrounded by love, playing cards and dominoes with her youngest grandson Richard George “Rocco” Willis, and supported by friends and family.
Mary is survived by her three children, Charles, Lea Ann (Ray) and Steven (Lisa); 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Jane (Charles); and her brother, Charles Benson (Betty).
A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 12, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Pilottown Rd., Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to American Legion Post 28, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Sign Mrs. Willis’s tribute page at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
