Mary Lynn Nenarella

Honey is survived by John, her husband of nearly 52 years, two sons, Anthony and Jeffrey, and many loving family members and friends.

Honey was born on June 28th, 1947 to John and Evelyn Greene. She was the essence of kindness, support, and genuine humanity. Her joy for life was transmitted by her smile and the sparkle in her eyes.

Honey was special from birth. Her mother, Evelyn, remembered smiling the whole time she was pregnant with Honey so maybe that is why she arrived in such a good mood. She was inquisitive and sweet, and diligently followed her big sister and parents around, learning and absorbing as she went. She helped her parents, brother and sister build a log cabin; felling trees, peeling bark, and stacking the logs (although she mainly served as the official nail-carrier).

Honey attended the University of Miami, where she earned a bachelors in English Literature.

In August 1971, she married her childhood friend John Nenarella in Greene, New York. The couple lived in Syracuse, later moving to New Jersey where they made the arduous daily commute into Manhattan where Honey was the Human Resources Director for Mony New York. When John was hired by Wausau Insurance, they moved to Wisconsin and decided to settle down to raise a family. They had two boys in the coming years: Anthony and Jeffrey.

As a mother, Honey imparted her wisdom in her children from a young age. Exposing them to the arts, fostering imagination and creativity, and giving the rare, yet well-placed (and well-deserved) reprimand to keep her two sons on the right track. She instilled the belief that practice was the method that enabled you to succeed in everything. Honey also taught them the value of relationships, positivity, and treating others well.

As her path took her from New York to Wisconsin to Florida and finally Tennessee, in each place she left her mark and formed wonderful new relationships with lifelong friends. In recent years, Honey was a highly valued and productive member of the Master Gardener of West Tennessee. As Vestry, Senior Warden at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Jackson, she was responsible for maintaining and renovating the 200-year-old property. She was also a constant source of support and drive in helping Saint Luke's Episcopal Church of Jackson. Over the past several years, Honey became a prolific writer, penning a romantic comedy novel and survival novel series full of thoroughly researched knowledge told through a brilliant and engaging story.

It is difficult to summarize her life full of so many talents, creations, and endeavors. Looking back, we see how she grew and evolved in each stage. She always retained her eternal optimism and belief that anyone could do anything if they put their mind to it. Honey led by example. She climbed the ranks and became a successful Human Resources manager, then a professional artist, a mother, an accountant, a master gardener, and author. Throughout her life she gave and received joy through each endeavor. She truly loved experiencing new things and cherished all of her discoveries along the way.

Honey was the tide that raised all ships. If you were her student, she could make you believe in yourself and truly progress. If you were her friend, she would find that special thing just for you that made you happy. If you were part of nature, she would help you grow. Everything around her blossomed into something better than it was. Honey gave freely and found great reward in helping everyone around her succeed and find happiness.

Honey was a wonderful partner, friend, colleague, and parent. She was truly a wonderful person. She always stayed true to herself and others with her open and honest attitude, strength and passion for life, and sense of humor. Honey will be missed tremendously, but we are so grateful to have been touched by her light.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GASmithandSonsFuneralHome.com for the Nenarella family.