Mary Speake Humelsine

Mary Speake Humelsine, 99, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on January 30th, 2018 at Williamsburg Landing. She was born in Luray, Virginia to Aubrey Cecil and Mary Miller Speake on October 7, 1918.

She was a graduate of Luray High School and the University of Maryland where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She received a B.S. in home economics in 1939. After graduation, Mary taught at Mt. Rainier (MD) High School. Her passion for sports led her to coach both the Mt. Rainier girls’ basketball team and the women’s basketball team of the Washington Evening Star newspaper.

In 1941, Mary wed the late Carlisle H. Humelsine in Little Washington, Virginia. When Carl returned from World War II, they spent several years in Chevy Chase before moving to Williamsburg where she resided for the remainder of her life. During Carl’s tenure as executive vice-president, president, and chairman of the board of Colonial Williamsburg, Mary was also a very active member of the community. As Carl’s wife, she served as a gracious hostess to hundreds of national and international leaders and dozens of heads of state. She maintained on the wall of her home a 6-foot long collage of photos with many of these leaders, and she delighted in regaling guests with the stories behind each one of them. Her gracious hospitality appropriately earned her the title “First Lady of Williamsburg.”

Mary was a member of Bruton Parish Church, the Williamsburg Garden Club, and a charter member of the Raleigh Tavern Society. One of her most rewarding endeavors was serving the Williamsburg area on the board of the Williamsburg Community Foundation and co-chairing the Committee that worked on the City’s 300th anniversary celebration. In addition, she was a board member of the American Field Services and served as host parent to several foreign exchange students who she loved and remained in contact with until her death.

Mary had many passions throughout her long lifetime. She was an enthusiastic amateur sailor and an avid fan of the Maryland Terrapins. She was, perhaps, the most enduring Washington Redskins fan, who she began cheering for in 1939. As a fantastic gourmet chef, Mary took great pleasure in entertaining and feeding family and friends. Her specialties included fried chicken, crab cakes and lemon meringue pies.

Later in life, Mary was a great supporter of William and Mary and Tribe athletics. In 2002, she even received the distinguished Prentis Award for her support of the college and her active involvement in the community. Mary also enjoyed playing bridge and she especially enjoyed traveling the world, having visited many countries and all seven continents, including Antarctica at the age of 80.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Mary Norment and Barbara Harmon (Roger); four grandchildren, Brian Harmon (Sharyn), Casey Norment Bailey (Randall), Kerri Norment (Mike Dellapenta), and Christopher Harmon (Christy); nine great-grandchildren, Campbell, Mason, and Lucas Harmon, Wyatt and Tayte Bailey, Brendin Dellapenta and Aarin Lowe, and Hazel and Otis Harmon. She is also survived by her sister Ann Keller and sister-in-law Marie Speake and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. We will all miss her warmth, her winks, and the twinkle in her bright blue eyes.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodhaven Hall for the wonderful care they gave Mary during her final years. They also wish to thank Linda Tyler who was her aide, and more importantly, her friend for many years.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on February 17th, 2018 at Bruton Parish Church, 331 W Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation c/o The Colonial Williamsburg Fund, P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187 or the Williamsburg Community Foundation, 1323 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185.