Mary M. Hoyt

Although family and job demands required frequent relocating, Mary always found a way to make life fun and comfortable for a family on the move. Once settled into a new community, she would quickly join a Presbyterian Church USA congregation and continue with her service to church and community.

Mary died on April 10 at the A. G. Rhodes Home, Cobb, in Marietta, GA, at age 88. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on April 23, at 1 p.m., at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt. Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs, GA. The service will be presided over by Reverend Joe B. Martin, of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, and Reverend Betsy Turner, of Luther Hays Presbyterian Church.

A native of Denver, CO, Mary graduated from South High School and attended the University of Denver. Her work with Presbyterian Women and Church Women United began at South Presbyterian Church in Denver in the 1950's.

As a member of Atlanta's Covenant Presbyterian Church, Mary was active in prison reform, social justice, missionary education, Mariners, The Georgia Christian Council, The National Council of Churches in Atlanta, and Governor Joe Frank Harris' Human Services Delivery Conference. She was president of Georgia Church Women United in 1967 and 1968 and named a Valiant Woman in 1969. She served as a Presbyterian Women Enabler, and was present at the Presbyterian Reunion in 1983.

In family life, Mary enjoyed cooking, entertaining, dinner and a movie and travel in the U. S. and abroad. She sang in choir, was a fine pianist, and was often complimented for her personal warmth and sense of style. Participation in bridge tournaments brought out her competitive spirit, and in 1985 she was named a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Hoyt, and they will rest together at the Georgia National Cemetery, in Canton. They are survived by a son, Gary, and daughter, Wanda. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made on Mary's behalf to the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church Remembrance Fund, Sandy Springs, GA; or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, New York, NY.