Mavis Marie Curtis

Mavis Marie Curtis, widow of Colonel Lawrence B. Curtis, USA, Ret., passed away on January 16, 2019 at Shurmer Place Memory Assisted Living in Strongsville, OH. A native of Storm Lake, IA, she was born July 3, 1921 to Rae E. and Letta Sharp. Mavis was a consummate military wife who created homes out of military base housing all over Europe and the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). No matter how spartan the accommodations on base, there were always family dinners around large tables with pies, cookies and the trimmings followed by family games, charades and laughter with stockings hung from mantels and trees decorated with colorful glass bulbs, tinsel and angels which had somehow survived all their travels. She always tried to make life better for others on base, often serving as president of the military wives club or helping her husband organize base Sunday schools. Upon retirement from the military, Mavis and Larry made their home in Gahanna, OH where they belonged to Stonybrook United Methodist Church. At Stonybrook, Mavis was often found using her expert culinary skills in the church kitchen or playing Mrs. Claus to Larry's Santa. A wonderful, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mavis will be remembered for her beautiful knitted afghans, her competitive play in all games -- especially cards, her beautiful alto voice/piano playing and her wonderful sense of humor. She is survived by sons: Larry (Sharon) Curtis and John (Shawna) Curtis and daughters: Phyllis (Jay) Baur and Anne (Asa) Beavers. Grandchildren: Lawrence B. Curtis II, Nathan (Tina) Curtis, Gretchen (David) Zetoony, Colin Curtis, Marc (Marianne) Baur, Michael (Laura) Baur, Jill (Andrew) Dunn, Asa Beavers IV, Danielle (Nick) Livy. Great grandchildren: Liam Curtis, Caroline Curtis, Charlie Curtis, Avi Zetoony, Eli Zetoony, Leo Zetoony, Andrew Baur, Mary McLean Baur, Emma Baur, Stephen Baur, Jacob Dunn, Claire Dunn and Brooks Livy. Mavis was predeceased by husband, Lawrence Curtis; granddaughter, Kathryn Curtis; brothers Lou Sharp, Jack Sharp, and Hugh Sharp and sister, Mattie Overholser. The family would like to thank the amazing staff of Shurmer Place at Altenheim Senior Living, Shurmer Place Memory Assisted Living, and Crossroads Hospice for the wonderful care Mavis received in her final years. A service celebrating her life will be held Friday, January 25th at 11AM at the Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213. SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, Gahanna, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.