Mary Gottshall

of Lansing, MichiganAge 98, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008 in Lansing. She was born June 27, 1909 in Rose, New York, the daughter of David and Evelina (Henderson) Evans. After graduation from high school in Oriskany, New York, Mary attended the University of Wisconsin, where she received a B.S. degree. She then went to Montana State University and earned a Master?s Degree in bacteriology. In 1932, Mary moved to Lansing to work at the Michigan Department of Health laboratories, where she was employed until the birth of her first child. She was actively involved in the community while her children were in school, and after they had grown, Mary put her energy into volunteer work. She learned to read and write Braille and transcribed books and articles for the blind for the Michigan Public Library and other organizations. An avid promoter of world peace, Mary worked for the United Nations Association and for Amnesty International. Volunteering with the Red Cross, she did phoning for Telecare until she was nearly 90 years old?older than many of the people she called. Mary served the family church, Westminster Presbyterian, in many capacities, including Sunday school teacher and administrator, deacon, and elder ? the first female elder at Westminster. She was an active member of the Westminster Women?s Association and of Church Women United.

Mary had a quick and clever wit; she loved word games and bad puns. She was a formidable Scrabble player. She had a true green thumb, enjoyed gardening and the outdoors. She was always athletic and physically active, taking water aerobics classes until past the age of 90. Her fondness for the The Big Sky Country ? Montana ? never left her, and she was a lifetime member of the Montana Historical Society.

Surviving Mary are her son, Timothy Gottshall of Atlanta, Georgia; granddaughter, Karin Gottshall and her husband, Terry Simpkins of Middlebury, Vermont; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; daughter, Mary Margaret Hodge; and son-in-law, Michael Hodge.

A Memorial Service for Mary Gottshall will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 734 N. Martin Luther King Blvd, in Lansing at 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 16th, with the family receiving friends from 10:30 to 11:00 A.M. prior to services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Mid-Michigan. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfueralhome.com. Arrangements by Tiffany Funeral Home, Lansing.