Mary Harlan

Mary V. Harlan March 27, 1919 - Jan. 2, 2015 SOUTH BEND - Mary Virginia Harlan, residing at Morning View Nursing and Rehab facility in South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully at 9:30 a.m. on January 2, 2015. She was 95 years old. Mary was born March 27, 1919, in South Bend, Indiana, daughter of Lillian and Russell Maffitt. She graduated from Central High School in South Bend, and attended Purdue University for one year. On November 19, 1942, in South Bend, she married Clifton Lincoln Harlan, who passed away on December 21, 1987, at the age of 68. She is survived by her two children, Beverly Jean Harlan of Mt. Shasta, California, and David Clifton Harlan of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother, Jack Maffitt of Shelburne, Vermont; three grandchildren, Jason Harlan and Ryan Harlan of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jennifer Baehl of Ft. Mill, South Carolina; one great-grandchild, Andrew Baehl; and two nephews, Tom Maffitt of Burlington, Vermont, and David Maffitt of St. Louis, Missouri. Mary and her family were members of the River Park United Methodist Church throughout their lives. Her father, Russell Maffitt, was the custodian at the church for a number of years. Her mother, Lillian Maffitt, was a member of several service-oriented church committees, including making "cancer pads" for thousands of hospital patients. From the age of 6 to 18 Mary took piano lessons from Estella Wright. She played in numerous piano recitals, and almost reached the ability level of a concert pianist. She played piano for the church during the 1960s and was the church piano accompanist from 1990 to 2005. She was the church secretary for two years. She taught private piano lessons for a few years. She especially enjoyed playing two-piano duets with Norma Beatty, deceased in 2009. Prior to her secretarial position at the River Park Church, Mary worked for a couple of years at Epworth Memorial Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing piano all her life, and since her own piano was moved to Morning View, she played even while spending her last seven years in an Alzheimer's facility. Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed playing many sports. She played ping pong all her life and was a member of the table tennis group at Battell Center in Mishawaka for many years. Her two children could never beat her at ping pong. Her other favorite activities included tennis, swimming, Scrabble, crosswords puzzles and reading. She especially enjoyed winning at whatever sport she was playing. Known by many as a "feisty" woman with a dry sense of humor, she did not hesitate to express her opinions. About her new "home" at Morning View Nursing and Rehab Center, she noted: "I can do whatever I want here." She once quipped during her stay at Morning View, "Nobody knows what day it is here." When her daughter once asked Mary in 2008, "What is life about?" Mary replied, "A mixture of fun and sadness, grief, happiness and learning how different people are. Some people are more patient, thoughtful and loving; some are negative." Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mary may be made to David C. Harlan and/or Beverly J. Harlan, c/o Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN 46615. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Mary Virginia Harlan may be sent to River Park United Methodist Church, 920 S. 23rd St., South Bend, IN 46615; to South Bend Humane Society, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 919 E. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. A Memorial Service will be celebrated sometime soon at the River Park Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana, 920 S. 23rd Street, South Bend, IN 46615. Following the service family and friends will be invited to share memories of Mary. Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, South Bend, is assisting the family.