Mrs. Mary Walden, 98, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and formerly of Jacksonville, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2018 at her home.
Born in Canton, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Robert B. and Helen Herman Cowan.
She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Walter D. “Duke” Walden, in 2010. Prior to their marriage, she attended Armstrong College in Savannah, Ga. It was there that she met “Duke.” After marriage she and her husband made their home in Jacksonville beginning in 1948. In 1997, Mary and Duke moved to Hilton Head for five years and then returned to Fernandina Beach, where they resided with all their children.
Mrs. Walden was a kind and gentle spirit who loved nature and enjoyed reading and painting. A member of Memorial United Methodist Church, her love of reading was often exemplified by her spending so much time with the Psalms and Proverbs. She was a wonderful friend to all who knew her. She will be remembered as a warm and caring wife, mother and grandmother by all her family.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two daughters, Martha Strickland and Rosie Booth.
Mrs. Walden’s surviving family includes two children, Jeanne Prudot and Carlton Walden, both of Fernandina Beach; eight grandchildren, Christie Strickland, Paula Evers, Darren Strickland, Carrie Strickland, Greg Mazza, Gina Sawyer, Lisa Mazza-Mulhall, and Jason Booth; and eight great-grandchildren as well as other extended family members.
Funeral services for Mrs. Walden were held at noon Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Memorial United Methodist Church with Reverend Drew Weseman officiating. Her family received friends at the church beginning at 11 a.m. She was laid to rest beside her husband and daughter, Rosie, at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
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Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors