Mary Elizabeth Workman Mayer
March 30, 1929-March 6, 2021
Daughter of Franklin Minnich and Elizabeth Hershey Workman, Mary Elizabeth was born and grew up at her beloved family farm, occupied by generations of Workman’s since the 18th century, in East Petersburg, PA on March 30, 1929.
Mary attended Millersville College, where she met the love of her life, Robert W Mayer (Bob). They were married in 1951 just before Bob left for Germany to serve in the CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps) during the Cold War. When he returned, they settled in Newark, Delaware to pursue their careers and where they would stay to enjoy full and productive lives for 60 plus years.
Mary taught first grade for 25 years, primarily at Christiana Salem Elementary School. She was a much admired teacher and conducted a vibrant classroom where she played the piano and led the children in song with her trained singing voice. Her greatest joy was teaching children to read and putting on plays in which she often sewed the costumes. She was also a Girl Scout leader for many years.
Mary was devoted to her family and weekends were often spent driving to Lancaster County to help aging relatives and visit the farmers markets that Lancaster County is known for. In the early years, she and Bob took up competitive rally driving in their vintage MG’s, with Mary navigating and Bob driving madly through the countryside. In later years, they spent weekends sailing on the Sassafras River and Chesapeake Bay. Mary especially loved to cook and entertain and she and Bob were known for throwing great parties from crab feasts to multiple course dinners to orchestrating high tea for the multitudes at “A Day in Old New Castle.” “Fun” was high on the priority list at the Mayer household.
In retirement, Mary and Bob traveled and pursued many interests including everything the University of Delaware had to offer—plays, music, sports, etc. Mary was a docent at the historic Allee House at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge where Bob and she spent many happy hours observing migratory birds and volunteering. They were active at Immanuel Episcopal Church, New Castle, where she served on the Altar Guild right up to the age of 87. She was an active member of the Delaware Herbalists and the Arasapha Garden Club.
For the past four and a half years, Mary has lived in Williamstown, MA with her daughter and son-in-law.
Mary leaves her daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Carlisle and son in law, Alexander Carlisle of Williamstown, MA and two adored grandsons, Peter Carlisle of Thornwood, NY and Samuel Carlisle, of Big Sky, Montana.
Burial will be at a future date at Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, New Castle, DE. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com