Mrs. Mary Lou Davis' Obituary
Mary Lou Davis Mary Lou Davis, 79 of St. Petersburg FL and Elma NY, passed away on January 9, 2012. The following is a letter to Mary Lou from her loving husband Dick:
I was introduced to you on that fateful night at the Presbyterian singles group long ago. The moment I saw you, I was head over heels. While I asked you to help me with a social event for the club, I had no idea I was meeting my future wife. The group voted me as "President", and voted you as "Social Director". No one knew at the time that we would live out those roles together for the following 47 years.
Mary Lou, I knew from the time we got together, that no matter what life brought our way, that I wanted to share it with you. Posed with serious questions, such as having children, or not...the answer mattered only that you would be by my side. Later, you gave me a beautiful son. He carries the good of us both. For as long as I can remember, you've been my friend and my love. Side by side we have waltzed, jitterbugged, and enjoyed life to it's fullest. From "beef on weck" and "wings", to buffets on Cruise Lines, we enjoyed food, drink, and laughter of friends.
You took care of me in all the ways God had in mind when he gave man a wife. If it weren't for you, I may not know how to dress myself today!
My world resided in your beautiful twinkling eyes, as we traveled the world and we left our mark together.
As I touched my lips to yours for the final time on January 9, all I could think of was keeping you with me. Now I realize, I don't have to worry about you leaving. You remain with me every second of every day. When I see the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico, the little green apples grow on our tree in Elma, a drop of rain, the smell of a breeze, or my face in the mirror, I see you. You are everywhere. You are my one true love. Mary Lou was born August 18, 1932, in Buffalo NY to the late Dorathea and John Benzel. She is survived by her husband Richard of 47 years, her son Russell (Cathy) of Houston TX, sisters Virginia Buschen of Detroit MI and Audrey Wheeler of West Seneca NY, sisters-in-law Eloise Benzel and Mary Benzel of Tonawanda NY, as well as a large and loving extended family. She was predeceased by brothers Robert and Jack Benzel. She was a member of Elma United Methodist Church, the Elma Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, the AMVets Ladies Auxiliary, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Eastern Star Lodge, and the Roycroft and Amherst Dance clubs. She, along with her husband, was a past member of the Four Squares Young Adult Group. Mary Lou enjoyed being with people. She spent many years bowling on various leagues with her sister Audrey. And, if there was a gathering of any kind, Mary Lou would be invited, making new and old friends feel good about life and its opportunities. She also loved to travel. With her husband, she visited over 40 of the 50 states, and nearly 20 countries. From her parents she learned to appreciate music, and she took great joy in playing her piano and organ. On the dance floor, Mary Lou and her husband Richard were known as "Fred and Ginger". Mary Lou's greatest gift was her unconditional love and caring for everyone she came into contact with. She had a wonderful way of making all those she met want to be her friend. There will be a memorial service on Monday, January 16 at 11AM at the Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33709 In addition, there will be a service in Elma in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Elma United Methodist Church, the Elma Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Please visit www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com for the on-line guestbook and video tribute as well as www.maryloudavis.info for an additional tribute to Mary Lou.
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