Obituary: Mary E. Weihl McGrew

Mary E. (Weihl) McGrew, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Health Central Park, where she resided for five years after suffering a stroke in 2011. Surrounded by family, Mary left this earth in the same manner she lived her life — with peace, dignity and grace.  

Mary was born May 24, 1930, in Marietta, Ohio. She now joins her husband, Robert “Bob” McGrew; her father and mother, John J. and Glena C. Weihl; and her two brothers, John C. and David U. Weihl, who preceded her in death.

After attending Marietta College, Mary married Bob McGrew of Bartlett, Ohio, in 1948. They were married nearly 41 years until Bob’s death in 1989. She is survived by five children: Heather Loden of Springfield, Tennessee; Mike McGrew (Edie) of Fresno, California; Ben McGrew of Reno, Nevada; Matt McGrew (Teresa) of Windermere, Florida; and Chris McGrew of Sacramento, California.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mary had many occupations over her lifetime: a stewardess with Continental Airlines, a bookkeeper with Koscot Cosmetics, a data-processing clerk with Orlando Regional Medical Center and, most importantly, a homemaker. At the age of 53 she graduated from the police academy and became a corrections officer for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department / Orange County Corrections Department, where she retired with the rank of Corporal.

Upon retirement, she spent her time working part-time at the Lighthouse in Ponce Inlet, shooting pool at the local billiards club, dancing, playing bingo at area senior centers and pampering her dogs, Minnie-Pearl and then Vienna-Louise. She loved to travel the high seas, having sailed over 20 times, enjoying almost every cruise line.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Mary will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden, 125 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787.

Flowers are welcome but not necessary; pink is her favorite color. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary’s name can be made to USO.org/donate or Vitas.com/community-connection/donate.

The family can be reached at [email protected].