Mary CURTICE

CURTICE, Mary

Elizabeth Dustin, of Glen Allen, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Mary was a WWII Navy veteran. As a WAVE, she was stationed in Washington, D.C. January of 1945. She worked as file clerk and handled confidential mail. She lived in the Richmond area for over 43 years. She was born February 18, 1923 in St. Paul, Minn., the sixth child of eight. She was the daughter of the late George and Ella Dustin of St. Paul. Her father owned a local bakery and Ella was a full-time homemaker, both of French Canadian decent. "Liz" attended Catholic schools and sang and danced for many local functions. She immensely enjoyed her childhood and the winter activities of ice skating, tobogganing and sledding. Mary was a member of West End Assembly of God here in Richmond and when she was "snow birding" in Melbourne, Fla., she attended First Assembly of God, where the Pastor Ed Thompson and wife, Betty, were dear friends. Mary's two trips to the Holy Land, Israel, with First Assembly in the early '80s were cherished memories and she loved the Jewish people, culture and music. While living in Florida, Mary took painting lessons and produced some "Rembrandts" as Fred would call them. One of her oil paintings now hangs in the State Capitol at the Virginia General Assembly on display through March. Mary was active for many years with Welcome Wagon, Newcomer's Club, Choral, Bridge club and volunteered at Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Mary was a city girl who met a country boy. Mary met her husband, Fred, in Washington, D.C., in April of 1945. They dated six weeks and were married at West Palm Beach, Fla., on June 1, 1945. She was a person with a quick smile and encouraging words. She was devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren, and had a kind, loving and gentle spirit. Mary loved the farm and all the garden produce. She would can and freeze vegetables well into her 80s. Mary loved "Tall Pines Farm" in Glen Allen, the beautiful trees, flowers, bountiful garden and tranquil pond. Mary traveled with her husband, Fred, as he was a consistent top producer for AFLAC's conventions. She traveled most of the 50 states, in addition to Spain, Mexico and other exotic destinations. The family wishes to express gratitude to Our Lady of Hope Nursing Center where Mom spent the last 17 months of her life. The care, love and attention given to Mary from the staff and residents will forever be fondly remembered. Mary was preceded in death by her grandson, Robert William Curtice. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Fred Hosea Curtice Jr.; children, Fred Hosea Curtice III and wife, Mary, of Foley, Ala., Gregory William Curtice and wife, Sabine, of Chesterfield, Lucia Curtice Lucas and husband, Timothy, of Richmond, John Grayson Curtice and wife, Betty, of Chesapeake, and Susan Elizabeth Mercado and husband, Julin, of Ocala, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Gino Curtice, Jennifer Curtice, Kelly Bruhl, Tracy Cockson, Olivia Ortiz, Nancy Curtice, Nathan Mercado, Kasey Dustin Hayes, John Curtice Jr., Natalia Mercado and Adam Mercado; and 11 great-grandchildren, Olivia, Liam, Orlando, Riley, Gracie, Roman, John, Vanessa, Maya, Giada and Michael. She is survived by her brother, Hale Dustin; sister, Phyllis Paul, both from

St. Paul, Minn.; along with


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.