Mary Elizabeth (Coleman) Atwood

MARY ELIZABETH (COLEMAN) ATWOOD, 98, passed peacefully on November 19, 2021 at Westminster Towers Orlando (WTO) where she had happily resided since 2004. Mary was born on February 18, 1923 in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Her family moved to Orlando in 1933 where she graduated from Orlando High School in 1941 and then attended Furman University for one year. Prior to her marriage, she worked for Orlando Utilities and then became a full-time homemaker. Mary’s husband’s job took them away from Orlando in 1950 to various locations across the country, where she made many lifelong friends; upon his retirement in 1978, they returned to Winter Park and enjoyed being near their families and many old high school friends again. They escaped the Florida heat every summer until 2004, traveling across the US and Canada in their motor home visiting family and friends. Mary was a behind the scenes GIVER her entire life; she never wanted to be the center of attention or “in charge” of anything but “volunteer” was her middle name and she never said no to anyone or anything. She was always involved in her daughters’ activities, whatever they might be, and was a loyal, active member of First United Methodist Church of Orlando for over 50 years. During her 17 years at WTO, she volunteered in the library, as a chaplain’s aide, as a receptionist at the front desk, in the White Elephant Thrift Shop, supporting activities in WTO’s assisted living area, and visiting shut-ins in the WTO health center. She was honored in 2017, at the age of 94, to be named Westminster Towers Volunteer of the Year. She was a gentle woman of faith who made friends wherever she went and was loved, and will be missed, by many. Mary was a very independent woman right up to the end and it was hard for her to ask for, or accept, help; when she finally realized a few months ago that it was now her turn to be the taker instead of the giver, she moved to WTO’s Assisted Living area; her family will be forever grateful to the WTO Assisted Living staff for the kind, loving and dignified care they provided. The family also thanks Cornerstone Hospice for their support in her final hours. Mary is survived by her loving and devoted daughters, Becky Atwood, Rockledge, FL and Mary Lee Cale and her husband, Rocky, Marco Island, FL; beloved grandson, Brad Cale, Baltimore, MD; sisters-in-law, Jean Jackson and Julia Robertson, Winter Park, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Clyde; her parents, Albert H. and Mary Carney Coleman; and her brothers William Coleman and John Coleman. Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the Westminster Towers Foundation, 70 W. Lucerne Circle, ATTN: Foundation Office, Orlando, FL 32801; make checks payable to Westminster Towers Foundation and put Mary Atwood on the memo line. At Mary’s request, there will be no service.

Mary Elizabeth (Coleman) Atwood

February 18, 1923 - November 19, 2021