Mary Louise Mayes Henschen's Obituary
Mary Louise Mayes Henschen died peacefully at Presbyterian Village in Austell, Georgia, on March 16, 2013, after a long illness. She had been a faithful and loving wife to her husband Hal, who preceded her in death, and a loving and resourceful mother to her four children. Mary was born in Atlanta, and grew up in Marietta, Georgia. She graduated from Marietta High School, attended Maryville College, and graduated from Georgia State University. While at Maryville College, she met her future husband, who finished medical school at Emory University, and went on to pursue training and practice in General Surgery. She participated in her husband’s career by being an effective member of the local Medical Auxiliary, and she established a caring home environment for her husband and children. Both in Georgia and in North Carolina, she actively participated in Presbyterian Church USA activities at First Presbyterian Church Marietta, North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina and later at First Presbyterian Church in Cartersville, Georgia. Mary instilled her love of the church in her children by encouraging and enabling their participation in worship, Sunday school, Bible School, youth activities, catechism class, and choir. Mary was an avid bridge player who not only participated in many bridge groups wherever she lived, but she also enjoyed teaching and playing bridge with her children and grandchildren. Mary was also an artist whose artistic abilities were best seen in her award-winning flower arrangements. Her interest and love of art and art history inspired two of her grandchildren to pursue careers in art and art administration, and she served as a docent at the Fayetteville, NC Museum of Art. Mary had a keen interest in promoting literacy: she served as a reading teacher in adult literacy programs. She pursued these interests while rearing four children, Gary, Mary Anne, Paul, and Bruce, who along with their spouses, one granddaughter and five grandsons, survive her. A memorial service to remember Mary, and to honor and thank the staff of Presbyterian Village, will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 22, 2013 at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell, GA 30106. Memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Village in Austell, Georgia at www.presbyterianvillage.org/donate and to First Presbyterian Church, 183 West Main Street, Cartersville, Georgia 30120.
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