Mary Martyn Mc Pherson

Mary (Maisie) Martyn McPherson, 102, of Largo, FL, died on Thursday, July 17, 2014. Maisie was born on October 5, 1911 in Airdrie, Scotland to the late Robert and Anna Jarvie. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Hugh I. McPherson, an infant daughter, Annabelle S. McPherson and a son, John (Bud) McPherson of State College, PA and Ft. Myers, FL. Maisie is survived by two children, daughter, Shirley M. Green (Dr. James E. Green), Ellenton, FL and a son, Col. Robert I. Macpherson, USMC(ret), (Veronica), Charlotte, NC; and her seven grandchildren, Scott MacPherson (Cheryl), Bound Brook, NJ; Kathryn R. McPherson, Raleigh, NC; Douglas B. McPherson, Silva, NC; and Karen McPherson, (deceased), State College, PA; Heather Green Kreider (Keith), Orlando, FL; Jonathan (J.J) Green, St Petersburg, FL; Jennifer MacPherson Stelzer, (Matt) San Diego, CA; Robert A. (Bud) MacPherson, Kailua, HI. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Shelby, (Bowling), Savannah, Kira McPherson,(deceased) and Danielle McPherson; Alex and Parker Kreider; Dylan Stelzer, and one great, great grandchild, Jackson Bowling. Maisie earned her Bachelor’s degree after attending The College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating in 1969. She began her teaching career in Warrenton, Virginia at Central Elementary where she also served on the Board of Director’s of the Warrenton Antique Show for many years. She was well-loved and admired by her students, teachers, and administrators as evidenced with a special plaque presented to her on her retirement stating “You have been one of the school’s outstanding assets…There are very few master teachers in a school system much less in an individual school. In having you, Central has one of those rare individuals. Your competency, your creativity, your concentration on your tasks, and your success in accomplishing your objectives result in a classroom performance that is one for others to emulate. In short, you are an outstanding teacher whom it is a privilege to have on our staff.” She was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students. When asked what was her secret in living a long, healthy life she responded “do everything in moderation and always do what you truly love doing.” Mary was actively involved with her church, The Church of the Isles, Indian Rocks Beach, FL where she participated in the Mary & Martha sewing group. She enjoyed luncheons with the Red Hat Society, was active in the Belleair Beach Garden Club, and loved swimming as her form of daily exercise. After retirement, Maisie discovered a talent for painting that she embraced with creating beautiful landscapes and Florida sea birds. She and her husband traveled extensively all over the world. With her family, she celebrated her 95th birthday on a cruise to the Caribbean. Maisie and her son, Bob and Veronica traveled to Ireland to celebrate her 97th birthday and she did exclaim it was one of her most memorable events. Her favorite destination was Hawaii that she visited many times. She enjoyed reading with a passion and completing her daily cryptoquotes on her beloved computer, which she was still solving after reaching her 101st birthday. Maisie was a woman of strength, honor and dignity with unwavering, unconditional, and limitless love for her children and grandchildren…she was truly the Matriarch of the McPherson Clan. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Church of the Isles, 200 24th Avenue, Indian Rocks Beach on Saturday, August 30 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Isles, Largo Public Library or to a charity of choice. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774, Ph# 727-562-2080. Condolences may be offered at www.serenityfuneralhomelargo.com.