Mary Louise Brock

BROCK, Mary Louise, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in the presence of her husband and children. She has moved on to her Lord and Savior. Mary Louise was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. An iron-willed partner to her husband Pete for over 57 years, she was loyal to and protective of her family and always proper in her presentation and greetings. At all times social, and loving to entertain, she was welcoming and inclusive to everyone she met. Outgoing, intuitive and empathetic, Mary Louise was a rock in a crisis, and had a special way with those who needed comfort and understanding at critical times in their lives. Mary Louise was born July 6, 1932 in Dade City, Florida to Edwin and Marjorie Gasque, the fourth of their five children. She spent her entire life in the town that she loved dearly and was a graduate of Pasco High School where she was the head majorette, drum major and voted Best Personality. She was voted Miss Pasco County in 1953 and competed for Miss Florida that same year. She attended Florida State University and was in the Florida State Flying Circus. Her Grandparents, Edwin and Lola Gasque, built and were the operators of Hotel Edwinola, a Dade City landmark which, when built, was one of the finest hotels on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Following her schooling, Mary Louise worked for the Tampa Electric Company in their Dade City office. In August 1954, she married Pete Hutchison Brock, the love of her life, who had recently moved to Dade City to work for the Pasco Packing Company. Mary Louise later operated a playschool for a number of years from her home and also was the fashion coordinator for Otto's Department Store in downtown Dade City. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Dade City, and was best known as the wedding planner for the church and many others in Dade City. At First Methodist she also taught Sunday school and served on the Altar Guild. She was a talented flower arranger and was called on to decorate for many church and social functions. Her community involvement included life membership in the Dade City Garden Club, Hollyhock Circle; Life Member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Florida; life membership in the Pioneer Florida Museum of Dade City, serving as President for six years; and active membership in the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter BG, in Dade City, Florida. She is survived by her husband, Pete, her three children Nancy Brock Johnson (Leonard), Haley Brock Jones (Bruce) and P. Hutchison "Hutch" Brock, II (Natalie), and her 8 grandchildren Brock Johnson, Paige Dingman (Christopher), Sydney Jones, Carson Brock, Coleman Brock, Connor Mack Brock, Ashton Brock and Spencer Jones. Memorials may be sent to the "My Legacy" Endowment Fund, First United Methodist Church, Dade City, Hernando-Pasco Hospice or the Pioneer Florida Museum of Dade City. Following a private burial, Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Dade City, Florida on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 1 p.m. A Celebration Service of Mary Louise's life will follow at 2 p.m. Hodges Funeral Home will make all arrangements.