MARY ELIZABETH LAVIN

Mary Elizabeth Lavin "Grammy" Mary Elizabeth Lavin "Grammy" passed away peacefully on November 23, 2010 surrounded by loving family. Born in Philadelphia, PA, July 10, 1933 she spent most of her life in PA and New Jersey. In PA she was an active volunteer for the Chester County Advisory Councils of the Department of Aging and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She also appeared in several onstage productions of The Barley Sheaf Players in Lionville, PA where she wowed audiences with her many musical and theatrical talents. In 2006 Mary moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she spent four wonderful years living in "Grammy's Cottage" in Kentfield CA. In California she became a dedicated member of the Larkspur Larks Club and enjoyed Thursday mornings with her friends at the Corte Madera Recreation Center. She valued the weekly tradition of Friday night family dinners at Ambrosia Restaurant. An avid reader and crossword puzzle devotee, she was also often described as the best Rummikub player in her family and the most enthusiastic Mad Gab player of all time. Mary brought love and fun into the lives of all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Karl Zitzelman. She lived for her children and grandchildren, for whom she had the deepest love. She is survived by children Jeanne M. Lavin (husband Stephen Donelan), James P. Lavin (wife Barbara), Michael J. Lavin, Marybeth K. Byers (husband Robert), Kelly A. Forrester (husband Dennis) and Kathleen F. White (husband Kurt). She was "Grammy" to seven grandchildren: James Lavin, Jr., Brian Lavin, Corbin Forrester, Tyler White, Benjamin White, Shannon Mary Donelan, and Audrey Lavin, and will be dearly missed by her beloved dog Winn-Dixie. She was adopted as "Grammy" by Terese Helgogaard (Denmark) and Mit Ammar (Brazil). She is also survived by her first husband, James M. Lavin, brother, Gerald O'Neill (wife Helen) and six nieces and nephews. There will be a private gathering of family and friends in her honor in Marin on December 12, 2010 at 11:30AM. For information call 415-680-0549. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ChildFund International http://www.childfund.org. Grammy/Mom, you were loved and cared for so deeply by us all. We will miss you more than words can say.