Mary Louise DeWolf, a second-generation Floridian, was born in Crescent City Florida on April 9, 1931, the fourth and last child of Nettie Louise Holley DeWolf and Levant Prior DeWolf, Sr. Since 2017, she resided at The Windsor of Ocala and passed peacefully on April 26, 2022.

She was the valedictorian of her senior class in Crescent City High School, the same high school from which her parents had graduated. She was the pianist and organist of the First Methodist Church for four years, and the captain of the All Star basketball team in the St. Johns Conference in her senior year.

After attending Florida State University for three years, she transferred to the University of Florida where she received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in the field of Science Education. While at FSU, Mary Louise played piano for physical education dance classes. At UF she was a student assistant in the music department where she accompanied voice students and played for summer musical productions. She also played the organ for Sunday services at the Wesley Foundation and was active in the Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Following graduation, Ms. DeWolf taught physical education in Sebring, FL, and biology and chemistry for 29 years in other schools in Florida, England, Georgia, and California. During these years she and her late husband Harold (Bud) Evans were Co-Founders of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Valdosta, GA; organizer of the Southeast Winter Institute in Miami (SWIM); President of the Unitarian Universalist Society in Sacramento, CA; Membership Chair, Vice President and President of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Miami; and member of the Florida District board of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This was followed by teaching biology at three Community Colleges in Jacksonville, FL. She and her husband, Rev. John DeWolf-Hurt, served eight years as Co-District Executives of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the Florida District and the western half of the Mid-South District from Nashville, TN to New Orleans, LA. During this time, while based in Ocala, she began her studies for the Unitarian Universalist ministry. After retiring from the Co-District Executive position and the death of her husband, John, she continued her studies while preaching at various UU churches within Florida.

In 2000 Ms. DeWolf married Robert L. Campbell. In 2001, Rev. DeWolf was ordained in the Unitarian Universalist ministry by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County, and received her second Master's degree, this time in Religious Studies at USF. In 2003, she became the part-time minister at Nature Coast Unitarian Universalists in Citrus Springs and served for seven years while volunteering with the Citrus Democrats. This was followed by being awarded Minister Emerita, and publishing her book, A Cracker Gal Finds Religion.

Rev. DeWolf was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2015. She is survived by her sister, Grace D. Trice, Ocala, FL; step-son Gifford Campbell, wife Michele of Salem, MA; step-son Randy Hurt, wife Kathy of Ellijay, GA; and nine nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for June 4 at 11:00 AM at Roberts Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34471.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Marion County or Nature Coast Unitarian Universalist at Citrus Springs, Florida.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Citrus County Chronicle on May 8, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary DeWolf

4 Entries

Marni Harmony

July 28, 2022

Mary Louise was a valued colleague and remarkably kind and gracious through all ups and downs. She was especially helpful to me during the time that she and John were Co- District Execs.

Rev. Dr. Susan Veronica Rak

June 10, 2022

The Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association sends our deepest sympathies. Although her
passing leaves a gap in all our lives, she lives on in the legacy of her ministry and years of service to unitarian universalism, now part of the living tradition we share. A contribution to the UURMaPA Endowment fund has been made in their honor.

Warren Thompson

June 4, 2022

Mary and her husband John deeply influenced my work as a hospice chaplain. She will remain as an influence to those she touched. A great mind and a beautiful person.

sharon clark

May 11, 2022

Dear family of Mary Louise (and Bob),
I first knew Bob when he lived in New England and we both attended Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, Massachusetts, along with his wife Nancy and my husband the late Rev. Ronald Clark. My parents John and Maxine Jackson lived in Lecanto, Florida and were founding members of the Nature Coast UU Fellowship. We were surprised to run into Bob, and meet Mary Louise there after the death of Nancy, when Bob had moved to Florida and married Mary Louise. That's how we met her, and enjoyed many get togethers whenever we visited Florida with them both at their lovely home in Citrus Hills or at a local restaurant. After the death of my mother they took my father under their wing, especially after he moved into Brentwood Assisted Living in Lecanto. My father died in July 2005 and we hired a boat to take us out into the Gulf where Mary Louise offered a eulogy and then we scattered his ashes. That was the last time I saw her because I no longer had occasion to go to Florida. But we kept in touch through Christmas cards and I have always considered her a dear friend. I was so sad to learn of her passing because the world is a lesser place without her. I will miss her in spirit.
Sharon Clark, Danvers, Massachusetts

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results