Beulah Marie O'Hanlon

O’HANLON, Beulah Marie, died May 22, 2015. On this day, the extended family of Beulah Marie O'Hanlon gathers to celebrate the completion of her journey through this life and the commencement of her journey through the next. Born Beulah Marie Williams on October 17, 1922 near Buffalo, Texas, she left the family farm and enlisted in the navy where she served as a nurse throughout World War II, being honorably discharged from active duty in 1945. While in the navy she met and married Lt. JG.Howard C. Davidson, with whom she brought five children into the world: Michael, Marie, Kathleen, Christopher, and Thomas. She was born in a time and place when it was unfortunately common for children to die of disease before leaving childhood. Experiencing that misfortune with siblings deepened her love for, and devotion to, her own children, steadfastly lending us her support even when some of us did not fully appreciate that effort. Marie, as she preferred to be called, re-married twice after the death of Howard, first to Loren Thomas and last, in her 70's, to Reese O' Hanlon, who was the love of her life. Reese was then a retired navy Commander, so she and he had mutual affections for their military experiences. Becoming again active in the WAVES, she was a co-chair of the 1990 WAVE National Convention. After eight years of a spectacularly happy marriage and wide travel, Reese was taken by leukemia. Marie remained active until Alzheimer's set in. She spent the remainder of her life at Brighton Gardens in Tampa, where she was often visited and taken for outings by family and friends. Marie is survived by four of her five children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her sister, Viola Wilson of Terry Mississippi, and her children, a steadfast sister-in-law, Evelyn Toner of Margate, Florida, and her children, and a loving daughter-in-law, Madelyn Davidson, who became her principal care taker in Marie's last years. Marie's beloved canine companion, Jacque, a Bichon Frieze, now resides with her son, Michael and his wife, Deanna, and Jacque's buddy, Izzie, a Jack Russell mixed terrier, who are both unmercifully spoiled, and three cats who rule the roost. In 1Corinthians 13:4-7, the qualities of love are explained. That passage in St. Paul's letter explains Marie. Until we meet again, mom. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 am Thursday at St. Luke the Evangelical Catholic Church, Palm Harbor. Burial will follow in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL www.sylvanabbey.com (727) 796-1992.