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Mary Stinson Obituary
Obituary
Mary Lou Stinson, age 69, of Fort Myers and Tampa, Florida, passed away in her home on January 24, 2008. She was born in Saginaw Michigan on June 30, 1938, the only surviving child of Marion and Carl Minton.
Mary Lou is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Michael Wayne Stinson and Holland Alyxis Stinson and her daughter and son-in-law Tina Louise Courtney and Lance Courtney and twin granddaughters Briana and Gabrielle Courtney all of Texas.
Mary Lou graduated from the University of Florida where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She earned a degree in elementary education and taught school on Orlando, Florida. After teaching school, she joined Delta Air Lines as a flight attendant. Later, she worked in the Greater Tampa area for Coppertone for 15 years until she retired.
Mary Lou was very involved in her community. She spent many hours volunteering at Shady Rest Care Pavilion and was an active member at Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ. She was also a "foot soldier" who collected shoes for the "One Small Step Shoe Drive."
A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, January 30th at 10 am at The Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The American Foundation for the Blind, 11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001; www.afb.org
Funeral arrangements under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida 33907.
(239) 936-0555
www.fortmyersmemorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Stinson
Carolyn Filley
February 27, 2008
Dear family of Mary Lou ... I knew Mary Lou so long ago, but we had kept in touch each Christmas to share our annual news. Mary Lou and I were roommates along with three or four other stews in Houston, Texas. They all flew for Delta and I for Continental. It was only a two bedroom, but with one of us always away on some trip, there was normally an empty bed. We all married ... she, Terry and I, Chuck, and that ended our flying days. We each started our families and life moved on. Although I have never met you(her children) I feel like I know you from her letters. I have twin grandsons (age 9)and that, too, gave us a connection. BK, Lynn, Mary Lou, and I had talked about getting together in Florida for a reunion. I am so sorry that never came to pass. So from when we were young at heart in the 1960's, we were now all in our 60's. Go figure.... My most sincere condolences to all her family. I know she will be truly missed. Most sincerely, Carolyn Filley
Lynn Englert
February 27, 2008
In October, 1962, Mary Lou and I both were new Stewardesses for Delta Air Lines and ended up in the Houston, Texas Base. We teamed up with two other girls and lived in an apartment there near Hobby Airport for several months. She was a joy to know and I enjoy recalling all the fun parties we had and especially the Christmas we spent on a layover in Philadelphia that first year. She was a real friend and I have often regretted that we did not stay in better touch over the years. I just learned of her tragic death yesterday from two other former roommates. I still have her Christmas letter on my desk and was reading it again just last week and vowing to write to her and make an effort to get together in the coming months. As she said in the letter, our time on this earth is short and it is important to be good to ourselves.
Vicky Rhiney (Stone)
February 20, 2008
I always thought of Mary Lou as someone full of life and fun.
We were 2 of the 4 Coppertone folks to be let go and we all tried to keep in touch. I was so happy to hear that she and I both went with DSC and I would continue to see and hear from her. I left 8 years ago and did not keep in touch as I moved to Tucson, AZ.
I will truly miss her.
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Tina Stinson Courtney
February 17, 2008
She drove me to school everyday in the Coppertone van. We would sing along to the radio and laugh. When I left for college she was encouraging. When I moved to Texas for my first real job, she said, "Go for it!" When I got married, she was excited. When I had twin girls, she assured me that I would be the best mother ever.
You always believed in me, Mom, and I won't let you down.
I just miss you so much!
Jennifer Holman
February 17, 2008
I too had the wonderful opportunity to work with Mary Lou with Coppertone. I was in the North FL territory and as others only got to see Mary Lou once or twice a year. But those times I do remember! She had a wonderful smile and was such a wonderful lady. She was a joy to be around on those business occassions. You will be greatly missed I know by your friends and family! God bless you, we know where your are! Smiling down on all of us.
Josephine Beaumont
February 9, 2008
I was very saddened to hear of the
passing of Mary Lou. She was a former neighbor and tennis friend
of mine in Tampa. We kept in touch
some over the years and I saw her several times in Ft. Myers.
She was always a happy person and I
enjoyed seeing her.
My sincere sympathy to her children and grandchildren.
Ann Arthur
February 5, 2008
My husband and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Mary Lou's entire family. I had the privilege to work with Mary Lou at Coppertone for many years and closely for a few.
First, she was a lady...always! She talked about you children with so much love and pride. She wanted so much to be able to see you more often, but as many of us live so far away from loved ones, she took it in stride and got such pleasure beaming about time she had spent with you.
I remember one particular season, when sales were slow in her market, which didn't have all the greatest stores to sell. I asked her to do her very best to come up with some creative ways to boost her display sales. She looked me in the eye and told me how much she knew I needed those displays and she would not let me down. She not only fulfilled her new goal, but she won the display contest for the entire district. Handing her that award at our meeting was a highlight of my career. I knew she had tried harder than anyone else and she had done it for me.
I so regret losing touch with her over the last five years. Finding her an Elvis oriented birthday card for May 30th was always so much fun!
Many of us from Coppertone have talked now and pledge to stay in touch more often with each other. We had a great run there for many years and Mary Lou was always loved and respected by everyone.
God bless your family.
Gail Olson
January 31, 2008
My favorite tennis player. All that positive energy.......what a wonderful friend and co-worker you were. You helped me through many a rough time. I always wished you did not live so far away. BUT I know that you had to...it was the right thing to do. I will always cherish the fun times, ALL the many laughs and treasure our friendship. I am at a loss for words but know in my heart Mary Lou, that you will be truly and deeply missed by all the people whose lives you touched. You were alway so upbeat and bubbly. What a great smile. I have all loving memories of you, my friend, Mary Lou. And that is something to smile about. I miss you ! ! !
your friend forever, Gail
Carla Constantino
January 30, 2008
I had the same job with Coppertone as Mary Lou did on the east coast of Florida so I only saw her a couple times a year. She was a wonderfully warm, lady who always smiled, was cheerful and funny making everyone glad she was a part of our group.
DEE MILLER
January 29, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
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