Mary Livingston Latham

Mary Livingston Latham, of Lake Mary, FL, died Friday, July 30, 2010, in Hospice of the Comforter House, Altamonte Springs, FL.

Born October 3, 1932 in Charleston, SC to Ellison Caldwell and Hattie Mae Weeks Livingston, Mary was a true daughter of Charleston.  She graduated from Memminger High School in 1950 and worked at the News and Courier until she married a Citadel cadet in 1955.  She went on to live and travel around the world until she settled in Lake Mary, FL in 1985.  Mary took a position with Lockheed-Martin in 1986 as a technical writer in their presentation department.  She retired in 1998 but continued to work at Lockheed on various proposals, at their request.  She was proud to be a member of the Orlando defense industry. 

After her official retirement, Mary began her second career as grandmother and community service volunteer.  Never one to sit idly, she became a member of Femmes de Coeur, Sweetwater Oaks Garden Club, Winter Park Women's Club and the English Speaking Union, where she continued to use her talents in writing and editing for newsletters and advertising of their numerous fund raising activities.  She was an avid gardener and gracious hostess to all who entered her home.  She will always be remembered for her southern hospitality, friendship and tea parties that she loved to hold for her family and friends.  Her first love was for her family, children and grandchildren and she dedicated herself to loving and serving them.  She was a member of Northland Church and participated in Bible Study Fellowship.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Sherrie Latham Hill and her husband, Herbert M., of Orlando, FL and their children, Will, Torrey, Merritt, Michael Ann, and Cuyler; her son, Gary C. Latham and his wife, Ruby, of Mt. Pleasant and their children, Finn, Luci and Nina; her brother, Alan Livingston and his wife, Ann, of Elloree, SC and their children; her brother, Ellison C. Livingston, Sr. and his wife, Yvonne, of Charleston and their children; and her cousins, Gloria Weeks Fennell and her son, John O. Fennell.

The funeral service will be held in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL Thursday, August 5, 2010 at ten o'clock with interment following at Bethany Cemetery.  A reception and celebration of Mary's life will follow at Lowndes Grove River House, 266 Saint Margaret Street.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requested that donations be sent to either The Mary Latham Memorial Scholarship Fund, Sundrops Montessori School, 874 Walt Miller Street, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 or the Femmes de Coeur, 1571 Bryan Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789.