Mary Delp

Mary Delp, who lived most of her life in Richland County, Ohio, passed away on January 13, 2011. Mary was born in Newark, Ohio on Valentine s Day, 1914. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irene Coul Armentrout and Russell Armentrout; her husband, Edward; her uncle, Ralph Coul; her brother, Henry and baby brother, Edward. She is survived by her cousin, Louis A. Purdey and his wife, Felicia, Louis E. Purdey, son of Louis A. Purdey, and best friends, Esther Fry and William Willie and Marilyn Yarger.

In addition to helping run the Mansfield Oxygen and Acetylene Company, located on 4th Street, the business started by her husband, Edward, Mary was a fixture in many musical, charitable, and civic organizations in Mansfield throughout her life and spent countless hours over the years volunteering her time and talent to her church and to other organizations that worked to enrich the quality of life in Mansfield.

Mary was musically gifted and music was a theme that followed her throughout her life. She played many instruments including the piano, organ, bass, violin, and even sousaphone. After she graduated from Madison High School in 1934, she even returned to march with the high school band on special occasions because they really needed her! She played with an all-girl orchestra and performed at many local events. Mary was a fine organist and member of the American Guild of Organists, member and past President of the Mansfield Music Study Club, member and loyal sponsor of the Mansfield Symphony Society and a life member of the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Mary joined the First Christian Church in 1945 and remained an active member, singing in the Chapel Choir for 55 years and, at one time, directing three church choirs. She was also active in civic life, a 50+ year member and past President of Altrusa International, member of the Renaissance Theater Guild and a 50 year member of Ruth Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Lodge 17, the Naomi Chapter White Shrine of Jerusalem, and involved with the Mansfield Art Center.

She loved to travel and visited many places in the United States and abroad, including Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Norway, France, Italy, Greece, England, and the Holy Land. And she was a whiz at crossword puzzles.

Friends may call Monday, January 17, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Diamond St. Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 200 W. 3rd Street, Mansfield, conducted by Rev. Chris Whitehead. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or Mansfield or the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. The family wishes to thank the Hospice of North Central Ohio and the staff of the Kingston of Ashland for making the last weeks of Mary s life as happy and comfortable as possible.