Mary Alice Hassett

Mary Alice Henderson Hassett passed away peacefully at her home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on March 24, 2021. She was 94 years old. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert David Hassett. They were married for 66 years before he passed in November 2015. She is survived by her four children, Holly Hassett of Arlington, VA, Timothy Michael Hassett of Asheville, NC, James Christopher Hassett and his wife, Laurie, also of Arlington VA, and William Robert Hassett and his wife, Barbara, of Richmond, VA. Mary Alice is also survived by her beloved six grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Marmee”: Michael, Kathryn, Hayley, Megan, Quinn and Christina, her grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren Carver, Rowan and Knox. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Norma Henderson of Culver, Indiana, and four of her five brothers and sisters, Robert Henderson, Helen Jane McKinstry, Bill Henderson and Norma (Teeta) Henderson. Her surviving brother, James Henderson, lives in Columbus, Indiana. Mary Alice was born on August 14, 1926 in South Bend, Indiana the fourth of six children. She grew up in Culver, Indiana where her father, John Henderson, had a long, distinguished career at Culver Military Academy from 1919-1981. Mary Alice attended Culver Community Junior-Senior High School where she was a brilliant baton twirler. Following graduation, she enrolled in Denison University where she met the love of her life, Robert David (Hap) Hassett, following his return to campus after being wounded while serving in World War II. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Hap and Mary Alice married in 1949 and lived in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky before moving to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in 1983 to start their own business. They opened Sea-Saw Children’s Shop in Sawgrass Village which was close to their home and it was a very popular clothing store for many years. Mary Alice and Hap were very active members of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach for decades. Mary Alice was incredibly devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her siblings and many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom adored her, too. She loved to dance to Glenn Miller (and cleared the floor with her brother Bill in high school and her son Bill on her 94th Birthday). She liked to take long walks on the beach with Hap and her family, enjoyed gardening, and making family albums. She had many friends, helpful neighbors, and an incredible enthusiasm for life. Mary Alice was an accomplished business woman and was well respected by her retail colleagues. She always had a warm smile for everyone she met and had an infectious sense of humor. She loved playing cards, which she usually won, with family members and her dedicated caregivers. Mary Alice’s family extends their sincere gratitude to all her caregivers and especially to Kimberly Dingler a devoted caregiver of 6 years who gave Mary Alice a great quality of life during her final years at home. A funeral service will be held at the time of burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date where she will be laid to rest with her beloved Hap, who was buried there in 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Council on Aging in St Johns County, FL as an expression of sympathy, Donations can be made online at www.coasjc.org, over the phone by calling 904-209-3700 or via check made out to COA. Please include "In Memory of Mary Alice Hassett" in the memo line of the check or in the comments when you make the donation online. The mailing address is: COA, 180 Marine St., St. Augustine, FL 32084. The Council on Aging Missions an advocate for the elderly to provide quality of life and companionship. They also provide Meals on Wheels Services. A celebration of life gathering will be held on May 20th at 6:30 pm on Ponte Vedra Beach just south of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Please call 904-250-2563 for details. Condolences may be shared at Hardage-GiddensBeachesChapel.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME Jacksonville Beach FL