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Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery
5750 49th Street North
Saint Petersburg,
FL
33709
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“Dear Dick,
At this most difficult time I hope knowing so many people cared about Mary Lou and also care about you can give you comfort. I will...Read More »
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1 of 32 | Posted by: Mike and Ann Balistierri - FL
“Dear Dick - we were so sorry to hear the sad news, Mary Lou was a very nice person and will be missed. Thinking of you, our deepest sympathy.
...Read More »
”
2 of 32 | Posted by: Debbie and Jim Bartz - Elma, NY
“Dear Uncle Dick and Cousin Russ. To know Aunt Mary Lou was to love her. Some go through life and make little more than a ripple in the lives of...Read More »
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3 of 32 | Posted by: Ed Davis - Oro Valley, AZ
“God Bless, and rest in peace.
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4 of 32 | Posted by: CJ Washington - Ruckersville, VA
“we are so sad to lose mary lou, her bubblely personality and loving relationships with family is irreplaceable. our love and sympathy to the family...Read More »
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5 of 32 | Posted by: gloria j. bus - blasdell, NY
“Dick, sorry about your Mary Lou; you have our deepest sympathy. George & Mary Lou Chmielewski
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6 of 32 | Posted by: George & Mary Lou
“Everyone here and in the Elma Auxiliary will miss Mary Lou very, very much. Stay strong Dick and know that she will always be with you.
”
7 of 32 | Posted by: Ruth Bleckinger - Elma, NY
“Dick, My heart goes out to you. My wife Cathy and I have been soul mates for almost 55 years and we have experienced true love as you and Mary Lou...Read More »
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8 of 32 | Posted by: Mr and Mrs George Poole Sr. - NY
“Dear Dick,
I was so saddened to hear of Mary Lou's passing. I will remember her sweet smile and what a wonderful caring person she was. My heart...Read More »
”
9 of 32 | Posted by: Ellen Boldt - Brooksville, FL
“Dear Dick and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies at the passing of Mary Lou. She was a sweet, kind person who will never be forgotten. ...Read More »
”
10 of 32 | Posted by: Ken and Debbie Anstett - Everett, WA
“We had many good times together. Especially with our Unit members in Bethlehem Chap. OES.
My prayers are with you, Dick, & your family
”
11 of 32 | Posted by: Linda Macvie (Walther)
“Aunt MaryLou was a warm, caring, awesome lady who truly enjoyed life to the fullest. She will be sorely missed, but most certainly never forgotten...Read More »
”
12 of 32 | Posted by: Sharon Finsterbach - NY - Niece
“Dear Dick,
Your memorial to Mary Lou was very touching,we hope you find comfort in the beautiful life you built together. She was a wonderful lady...Read More »
”
13 of 32 | Posted by: Cal & Gail Fechter - Elma, NY
“Hello....
It was a pleasure knowing her for many years as a little boy every Thanksgiving to now whenever I have a chance seeing her. Mr. Davis,...Read More »
”
14 of 32 | Posted by: Mark Gunzelman - Lakewood, CA
“Dear Dick,
Although it's difficult today for you to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory of Mary Lou help comfort you in days to come...Read More »
”
15 of 32 | Posted by: Annemarie Tripi - Depew, NY
“My Aunt MarylOU WAS SO GLAMEROUS TO ME. I was a young child when she was married to my uncle. I remembered her as sweet, fun beautiful red...Read More »
”
16 of 32 | Posted by: Billie Unger - Amherst, NY
“We will really miss Mary Lou until we join up again in Heaven. Our prayers and thoughts and sympathy are with you Uncle Dick, Russ and Cathy and the...Read More »
”
17 of 32 | Posted by: Steven and Karen Davis - MN
“Hi Dick, I'm so sorry to hear about MaryLou. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Maybe I"ll see you at one of the reunions.
...Read More »
”
18 of 32 | Posted by: ruth barnes - elmira, NY - friend
“Aunt MaryLou you will be missed dearly...I have so many memories from swimming in gram & gramps pool to dancing to the YMCA with your sisters at my...Read More »
”
19 of 32 | Posted by: Amy Schanne - Cheektowaga, NY
“Our sincere condolences. I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Lou and was impressed with her loyalty to her family and friends and
”
20 of 32 | Posted by: Bill and Fran - Miami, FL
“I have so many fond memories of Aunt Mary Lou, from growing up and summer days at their house in Elma, to travelling the French Riviera! I will miss...Read More »
”
21 of 32 | Posted by: Dave Benzel - Paris, France
“With Dick as my older "brother", Dave and I and our two girls spent many memorable hours, days, years with Mary Lou, Russell, and Dick. We still...Read More »
”
22 of 32 | Posted by: Janice Porter - Wellsville, NY
“All the years of knowing both of you it is still hard not to imagine not being able to see the two of you at the many functions we share together. ...Read More »
”
23 of 32 | Posted by: Ken & Judy Klumpp - Elma, NY
“from the moment that i moved into the apartment downstairs to the day i moved out mary lou and you were not just landlords you two were like family...Read More »
”
24 of 32 | Posted by: anthony rusinek - elma , NY
“Mary Lou,
Your beautiful smile and gift of laughter will be sorely missed by our family. We treasure the memories of all the many wonderful times we...Read More »
”
25 of 32 | Posted by: Ken & Nancy Burridge
“A GRACIOUS LADY WHO WILL BE SORELY MISSEDu
”
26 of 32 | Posted by: FRAN LEWIS AND PAUL LAISURE - FL
“Mary Lou was a very special lady. She always made people feel they were the center of attention when they were with her. That is a gift.
God...Read More »
”
27 of 32 | Posted by: Mark & Barbara Weber - NY
“Dear Mary Lou,
Sorry I never met you on this earth but I look forward to meeting you in heaven. You and your Husband created one of the finest...Read More »
”
28 of 32 | Posted by: Eric Fernandez - Louisville, KY
“Dick,
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family on your recent loss. Knowing what a wonderful woman that Mary Lou was throughout her...Read More »
”
29 of 32 | Posted by: John Seeley - Cheektowaga,, NY
“You will be missed. Sorry from our whole family.
”
30 of 32 | Posted by: Rich & Cynthia Krytus - McDonough, GA
“Dear Dick,
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to you & your family.
What a lovely tribute you wrote for Mary Lou. I can imagine she is...Read More »
”
31 of 32 | Posted by: Shirley Torch - Rochester, NY
“Mom, we miss you so much, but we're so thankful for your long, wonderful life. I am so thankful to have been your son. I will love you forever......
”
32 of 32 | Posted by: Russ Davis - Houston, TX - son
View Video Tribute
Mary Lou Davis
Mary Lou Davis, 79 of St. Petersburg FL and Elma NY, passed away on January 9, 2012. The following is a letter to Mary Lou from her loving husband Dick:
I was introduced to you on that fateful night at the Presbyterian singles group long ago. The moment I saw you, I was head over heels. While I asked you to help me with a social event for the club, I had no idea I was meeting my future wife. The group voted me as "President", and voted you as "Social Director". No one knew at the time that we would live out those roles together for the following 47 years.
Mary Lou, I knew from the time we got together, that no matter what life brought our way, that I wanted to share it with you. Posed with serious questions, such as having children, or not…the answer mattered only that you would be by my side. Later, you gave me a beautiful son. He carries the good of us both.
For as long as I can remember, you've been my friend and my love.
Side by side we have waltzed, jitterbugged, and enjoyed life to it's fullest.
From "beef on weck" and "wings", to buffets on Cruise Lines, we enjoyed food, drink, and laughter of friends.
You took care of me in all the ways God had in mind when he gave man a wife. If it weren't for you, I may not know how to dress myself today!
My world resided in your beautiful twinkling eyes, as we traveled the world and we left our mark together.
As I touched my lips to yours for the final time on January 9, all I could think of was keeping you with me. Now I realize, I don't have to worry about you leaving. You remain with me every second of every day. When I see the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico, the little green apples grow on our tree in Elma, a drop of rain, the smell of a breeze, or my face in the mirror, I see you. You are everywhere. You are my one true love.
Mary Lou was born August 18, 1932, in Buffalo NY to the late Dorathea and John Benzel.
She is survived by her husband Richard of 47 years, her son Russell (Cathy) of Houston TX, sisters Virginia Buschen of Detroit MI and Audrey Wheeler of West Seneca NY, sisters-in-law Eloise Benzel and Mary Benzel of Tonawanda NY, as well as a large and loving extended family. She was predeceased by brothers Robert and Jack Benzel.
She was a member of Elma United Methodist Church, the Elma Volunteer
Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, the AMVets Ladies Auxiliary, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Eastern Star Lodge, and the Roycroft and Amherst Dance clubs. She, along with her husband, was a past member of the Four Squares Young Adult Group.
Mary Lou enjoyed being with people. She spent many years bowling
on various leagues with her sister Audrey. And, if there was a gathering of any kind, Mary Lou would be invited, making new and old friends feel good about life and its opportunities. She also loved to travel. With her husband, she visited over 40 of the 50 states, and nearly 20 countries.
From her parents she learned to appreciate music, and she took great joy in playing her piano and organ. On the dance floor, Mary Lou and her husband Richard were known as "Fred and Ginger".
Mary Lou's greatest gift was her unconditional love and caring for everyone she came into contact with. She had a wonderful way of making all those she met want to be her friend.
There will be a memorial service on Monday, January 16 at 11AM at the
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33709
In addition, there will be a service in Elma in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Elma United Methodist Church, the Elma Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Please visit www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com for the on-line
guestbook and video tribute as well as www.maryloudavis.info for an additional tribute to Mary Lou.
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