Mary Lee Friday

Mary Lee, or, as everyone knew her “Mema” grew up during the Great Depression. She was a hard worker with a loving and kind heart. She met her husband while he (Clifford Friday/Papa) was working for the Tampa Police Department. The story I remember goes something like this.... One day Mema was minding her own business walking, she went to cross the road where Papa cat-called her!!! (While he was on duty if I remember correctly) Mema the modest woman she was said it embarrassed her at the time. But it must have gotten her attention and sparked her intrigue thus, the Friday family was born! She worked full time as a mother, but always had time for her 3 children, never skipping a hug or a kind uplifting word of encouragement. As her own children grew into adults, left the nest and eventually had families of their own, her family-oriented mindset never faltered. She has been the cornerstone of our family, whether it be holidays or any day. She treated her grandchildren with the same love she treated her own children. I would venture to say that every one of her grandchildren considered her as a mother figure, which she was more than happy to fill the shoes of. I cannot think of a time where anybody had one negative thing to say about her. What a beautiful life she led, how bright of a light she was. Near the end, she said “they’re waiting on me.” I take this as a sign, that Papa her Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters were waiting on her celebrating on the other side. What a joyful reunion they must be having. Although all who knew and loved her feel sorrow, she is in a place of pure happiness now, she will never be in pain again and she is surrounded by all of her loved ones who preceded her. We would all do well if we could learn from the way she lived, and model it the best we can. She truly lived a life that God himself would be proud of. She treated everyone she encountered, with love, kindness and respect no matter who they were, or what their past may have looked like. These are just a few of the ways Mema will always be remembered. We are all so grateful to have had her in this life, she made our lives brighter just by being herself. Gone but never forgotten. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, in so who shall ever believeth in him shall NOT perish but have EVERLASTING life! So, it's not goodbye.... it’s “see you later.”

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clifford V. Friday; and all of her brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her sons, Mark Friday (Tonya) and Matthew Friday (Sharlene); her daughter, Shari Steffer (Jonathan); grandchildren, Danny Valdez, Jonathan Steffer (Elizabeth), Amanda Mohen (Matthew), Christopher Friday, Hannah Fermin (Ally), Jenna Tsagaris (Jimmy) and Robby Friday; and great-grandchildren, Cooper and Maxwell Mohen, Ally and Del Fermin, Jasmine Valdez, Jordan Valdez, Peyton Friday and Levi Steffer.

A graveside service will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Orange Hill Cemetery, 4900 E Chelsea St, Tampa, FL 33610.