Mary Ruth Babbitt

Mary Babbitt passed away peacefully in her home on March 9, 2016. Born in Webster Springs, West Virginia, Mary taught herself to read at an early age; she read every hardbound classic in her grandfather’s library. Mary was double promoted in school and graduated at age sixteen. She enrolled in college but left to wed attorney Bill Treacy. The young couple embarked on a life in the Air Force.

Second only to reading, Mary’s passion was travel; she and Bill travelled every chance they could get. While stationed in Turkey, they lived in downtown Izmir in order to soak in the culture and surroundings. They forged lifelong friendships in Izmir, returning to Turkey decades later. While there, Mary served as a Red Cross volunteer; she once drove a neighbor in crisis across the Alps to a Wiesbaden hospital, encountering detours when women were rarely seen driving. With four children in tow, Mary and Bill visited London, Rome, Athens, Naples, Pamukkale and Bodrum. Later assignments to Texas and Japan allowed for sojourns to Mexico and Mt. Fuji. Mary was a huge fan of Japanese sumo, knew every wrestler by name, and spread “sumo fever” to her family and friends.

Between overseas assignments, Mary and Bill returned to Fort Walton and finally settled in the area. Mary resumed her education at UWF to double major in English and History. After graduating, she taught at Meigs and Yakota AFB and then became principal of adult education at Randolph AFB. On the side, Mary reviewed galley proofs for the Air Force Library; for more than 20 years, she wrote colorful critiques that were published in Air Force journals. After retiring, Mary served on boards for St. Simon’s Women as well as in the choir and alter guild for both St. Simon’s and St. Jude’s. She also served on boards for Panhellenic and PEO and was a member of DAR. She was proud to be a charter member of Save the Whales and The Nature Conservancy. She taught her children and grandchildren to sail and to garden.

In later years, Mary married Bruce C. Babbitt; they were together until Bruce’s death. Mary and Bruce travelled extensively, visiting Europe, Guatemala, Tikal and parts of Montana. The couple entertained family and friends at their cottage bordering Herrington Manor State Park in western Maryland. During summers there, Mary organized fossil “digs” for grandchildren at a quarry on a nearby Mennonite farm. Family gathered at Herrington Manor summers to hike, paddle boat, play tennis, ride horses and indulge in the family card game “Setback.” When summers ended, Mary generously opened her cottage to her Amish friends for spiritual retreats.

After Bruce passed, Mary continued to travel on her own, visiting her dream destinations of Russia, Czech Republic, lesser known areas of Italy and Prague. At nearly 80, she made a final trip to Paris. Mary’s PEO sisters played a huge role in her later years, providing love and support in ways she could “never describe.” She enjoyed the camaraderie of her bridge groups and a day of “good cards.” She carried a warm, ready smile and a quick wit that evoked a sense of levity wherever she went. During Mary’s time under hospice, she read voraciously and taught her children and grandchildren the nuances of bridge. Bridge has now replaced Setback as the family card game.

Mary is survived by her children Patrick Treacy (Joy) of Tallahassee, Brian Treacy (Dr. Pat O’Connor) of Antigua, Guatemala; Mark Treacy of Niceville, and Andrea Libby (Paul Elliott) of Niceville; and her nine grandchildren: Dr. Kyle Libby, Tree Treacy, Nathan Treacy, Gaelan Treacy, Gabriel Treacy, Ellison Libby, Sean Treacy, Lauren Elliott and Ryan Elliott.

The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice, Interim Healthcare, especially Daisy Veloz and Sheila Erickson, the doctors and staff at Emerald Coast Cancer Center and 21st Century Oncology, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Schmidt, Dr. Sandwith, PEO sisterhood, Read-It-Again, and Friends of the Niceville Library.

A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Niceville Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, The Nature Conservancy, ALDEAGuatemala.org, PEO Program for Continuing Education: 5736 NW 43rd Rd, Gainesville, FL 32606-4378, and the American Cancer Society.