On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Mary Peal Slye, age 81, of Davidsonville, MD, passed away at The Legacy at North Augusta in Staunton, Virginia after a brief illness.
Mary was born on November 8, 1943, in Washington D.C., the daughter of the late Mary Macklem and William Aldred Peal.
Mary was raised in College Park, Maryland and was a 1961 graduate of High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland. After high school she worked at the IRS for over twenty years and later for the Anne Arundel County Public School System and the University of Maryland.
She married her high school sweetheart, Freeman Nelson Slye, in 1965. They remained happily married for over fifty years until his passing in 2016.
Mary was an animal lover who enjoyed painting, spending time with family and friends conversing with friends, and staying physically active. Her dog Bella brought her great comfort, joy, and companionship during the last six years of her life.
She was a kind, thoughtful, and loving wife and mother who cherished her family and friends.
Mary is survived by her two sons; David Taylor Slye and his wife, Stephanie, and their children Reid, Harrison, and Josephine, of St. Joseph, Michigan and Andrew Nelson Slye, and his wife, Natalie of Staunton, Virginia, and her son, Nathan, of Federalsburg, Maryland; and her sister, Ferol Vincent of Easton, Maryland.
In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Freeman Nelson Slye; her brother, John Peal; and her sister, Miriam Wolff.
The family is extremely grateful to the staff at Assisting Hands Home Care in Annapolis, Maryland and The Legacy of North Augusta in Staunton, Virginia, who assisted in caring for her the last few months.
Information regarding a Celebration of Mary’s life will be shared shortly.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
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