Mary Louise (Turner) Cratem passed away peacefully, at home, in her sleep, on June 1, 2021 at the age of 93. A life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, with her family’s roots in the city going back generations, Mary Louise was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School, where she met her husband, George, and St. Vincent’s Nursing School. She worked at Hope Haven Children’s Hospital. After her marriage she retired from nursing to raise their three children, Susan, George and Stephanie. She was a dedicated wife and mother, and was President of the Teen Cotillion for two years. After her children grew up, she went to work in her husband’s insurance business, where they worked together for 27 years.
Mary Louise was an artist. Her passion was painting, focusing on florals and beach scenes. She loved the beach and spent much of her time collecting shells and enjoying the shore. She also loved gemology and bought and sold jewelry for decades. She was an animal lover, especially of her cat, Honey.
Mary Louise was predeceased by her half-brother, Sonny Bowden, her parents, Mary Louise Turner and Sheldon Bowden, her son-in-law Brian Killoran, her daughter-in-law, Susan Cratem and her love and sole mate, husband of 51 years, R. George Cratem, Jr.
She leaves behind her three children, Susan Killoran, R. George Cratem, III and Stephanie Spiegel (Mark), and her three grandchildren, Jennifer Ashley Cratem, R. George Cratem IV and Seamus Hunter Cratem.
She was helped during the last years of her life by her dedicated care-giver, Denise Clegg, without whom Mary Louise would not have been able to remain in her home to the end of her life.
Visitation will be held at Assumption Catholic Church at 2403 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, June 7, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7:30 p.m.. A funeral mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment next to her husband at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida. Following interment, guests are invited to luncheon at the Legacy Lodge on the cemetery grounds.
Mary Louise had a special love for animals and children, and donations can be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society and the Children’s Home Society of Florida.
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