Mary Lou "Nanny" Gorden

Mary Lou “Nanny” Gorden passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at the age of 82. As the head of a large family, she leaves a gaping hole in the hearts and lives of the many people who loved her.

Born June 7, 1930, in Coffee County, Alabama, to Sam and Ruby Oliver, Mary Lou moved to Ocoee, Florida in 1938, where she lived most of her life. She was married to Bill Groover for over 25 years and subsequently to Ronald Gorden for over 21 years. She leaves behind four daughters, Glenda (Don) Dunn, Diane Mattar (Alan Pozar), Kathy (Bob) Clark and Debbie Gallo, all of Ocoee, FL, stepdaughter, Sharon (Donnie) Eddington of Lansing, MI, eleven grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, brother, Willard (Joyce) Oliver of Ocoee, sister, Janice (Maury) Johnson, of Hernando, MS and sister-in-law, Betty Oliver of Longwood, FL, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Ron and her daughter, Rita (Jack) Sisinni, her sister, Annie Ruth Green and her brother, Gene Oliver.

Nanny worked hard all of her life, but loved her last job of five years as a school crossing guard at Thornebrooke Elementary School in Ocoee. She was a familiar face around Ocoee for years, spending many a Saturday cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren as they played football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading. But the real passion in her life was her family. She loved them and they loved her dearly. She was kind, caring and yes, for those who knew her, somewhat feisty. She was the proverbial matriarch of her family and hosted many parties, holidays and Founder’s Day activities at her home of 30+ years on Starke Lake. She was a member of Westside Community Church until her health declined.

Visitation will be held at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1148 East Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL on Sunday, February 24th from 4 – 6 PM. Funeral services are scheduled for Ocoee Oaks Methodist Church, 201 S. Clarke Road, on Monday, February 25th @ 10:00 AM, with a visitation from 9 - 10 AM. Interment will follow at the Ocoee Cemetery.