Mary A Echols

Mary Odessa Ackerman Echols of Bonita Springs passed away peacefully Monday, January 16, 2023. Mary was born in Kane, Pennsylvania on May 14, 1939 to Robert L. Ackerman and Jeanne Horner Ackerman. She grew up in Ligonier, PA and graduated from Ligonier Valley High School in 1957. After high school, her family moved to Naples, Florida and she attended Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Orlando, Florida and the University of Florida, Gainesville. She married Larry Ancel Echols on June 13, 1966 and, after living in Miami for a time, they returned to the Gulf Coast where she developed her career as a bookkeeper in Larry’s Ft. Myers Beach law offices, held a real estate license for 42 years, and recently completed her Associates in Science degree. Mary especially enjoyed traveling with Larry and family members to their treasured second home in Ligonier, PA and other destinations. Throughout her life, Mary expressed her faith through charity and community service. She was a longstanding member of Naples Christian Church, attended Bay Presbyterian Church, and was involved in numerous civic organizations including the Bonita Springs Historical Society. She was an avid storyteller with a witty sense of humor, a shrewd business woman, a loving wife and daughter, and an affectionate caregiver to her corgis and kitties. Mary is remembered with love by her large extended family of cousins, in-laws, a niece and nephew, their spouses, three grand-nieces, many close friends, and dedicated care providers. Please join us at Mary’s funeral service held on February 3, 2023 at 11:00 am at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens. An on-site graveside service and reception will follow. Closed-casket visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may honor Mary’s life by giving to Love a Child, Inc. (Haiti) P.O. Box 60063, Ft. Myers, 33906-9889 or online at Ways to Give - Love A Child. To send online condolences or service flowers, please visit www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Echols family.