Mary C. Parkin

Born November 16, 1916 in Hamilton, Ohio, Mary was the younger of two daughters of Amor and Mina Clawson. She was raised in Hamilton where she lived with her mother, sister and maternal grandparents, following the untimely death of her father before she was born. Mary graduated from University of Wisconsin with a B.A. in English. Mary was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She married Dr. George L. Parkin in 1940, and they enjoyed a marriage of 45 years before he preceded her in death in 1985.

Mary and her husband raised their family in Dayton, Ohio where her husband practiced medicine. Mary was actively involved in the Women’s Auxiliary of Miami Valley Hospital. Mary was the epitome of selflessness, and volunteered for countless activities on behalf of her children and the community in which she lived. Mary enjoyed recounting the story of how on one occasion while serving as an electoral volunteer she taught Orville Wright how to use a “modern day” voting machine.

Mary and her husband moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1976, where they shared many fulfilling years of beachside visits with their children and grandchildren. In her new community Mary continued her volunteer activities, serving as a docent for The Children’s Museum, the Jacksonville Beach Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Mary moved to Vicars Landing in 1997 where she enjoyed the camaraderie of wonderful friends in her later years. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Mary’s quick wit, amazing story-telling ability and sense of humor endeared her to her family and friends alike. She was a true raconteur, and loved to make people laugh. Yet she always felt it was her friends who enriched her life, and she often commented on how fortunate she had been in her life to enjoy such long-standing and caring relationships. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and whose lives she touched and inspired.

Survivors include her three children and their spouses: Barbara Parkin Miller and her husband William Miller of Ponte Vedra, Mary Beth DiCecco and her husband John DiCecco of Baja California, Mexico, and George C. Parkin and his wife Sally of Corona del Mar, CA. Other survivors include her six beloved grandchildren, Christine Miller Major of Chicago; Mark Miller of Charlotte, NC; Ross Parkin of Los Angeles, Alan Parkin of Los Angeles, Ryan Parkin of San Francisco, and Vanessa DiCecco Alvarez of Buenos Aires, Argentina , four great-grandchildren, and two nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held at Vicars Landing at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Vicars Landing Scholarship Fund.

Mary will be placed at rest next to her husband at Woodland Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Arrangements are under the direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jax Bch, FL. www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com.