Mary Cecelia Whiston

Mary Cecelia Whiston was born February 21, 1916 in Woodland, Missouri, to James and Nannie Kenney Whiston.

Mary C. Whiston was a long-time resident of Washington D.C., where she eventually retired to Ocean View, DE, and then to Naples, FL.  She passed away on February 14, 2019 at home, peacefully, with her family by her side.

Born in 1916, Mary Whiston was born and raised in Woodland, Missouri on a farm, into a large family of eight brothers and five sisters.  As a young girl, she loved living on the farm and helping her family.  As Mary grew and set out to make a new life, she accepted employment with the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, Maryland.  She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she made her home and worked at a patent law firm as a legal secretary, where she remained until her retirement in her mid-80s. 

Mary loved life and doing for others.  She also loved the Lord and her church which guided her through life.  She was very proud to have written and published a book about her life growing up in Missouri, called Woodland Wildflowers.  She also loved good fried chicken and listening to music.  She was such a wonderful lady and person.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her great-nephew, Phil Whiston and his fiancé, Erin, who have been caring for her since her late-80s.  She is also survived by many other countless family and friends.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 21, 2019, at St. Joseph Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.  The Rev. Fr. Basil Eruo will officiate.

The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal.

Memorial flowers can be sent to: Smith Funeral Home & Chapel, 2619 St. Mary’s Ave. Hannibal, MO  63401.

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