Mary Ralph Coulson

Mary Ralph Coulson, a resident of Arbor Trace in Naples, Florida, died on December 29, 2020 at the age of 96. Mary touched countless lives with her love, compassion, grace and encouragement. She leaves a legacy of kindness, empathy and resiliency that will live on in her family and others for generations to come.

She was born Mary Jean Ralph in Evanston, IL on August 17, 1924 to William Ralph and Sylvia Meyer Ralph. She spent a significant part of her life in Whitefish Bay, WI. Her happiest memories include summers spent on the beach of Lake Michigan in Oostburg, WI and 30 wonderful years in Naples, FL. She was married to her devoted husband Paul Coulson for 65 years, until his death in 2012.

Mary received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Mary was a school social worker in Fox Point/Bayside for 20 years, having pioneered the service to the North shore suburbs of Milwaukee. Mary contributed to the Naples community by facilitating depression groups for 14 years for the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida as a volunteer, and received the Sally Herzog award in 2008. She also founded and led a support group for caregivers at Arbor Trace. She received citizen of the year awards in Sheboygan, WI and in Naples, FL.

Mary is survived by her sons James (Sue) of Manitowoc, WI, and Andrew of Plymouth, WI; grandchildren Alison Coulson (Dan Probst), D.J. Coulson (Megan Schmiedlin), Duffy (Chris) Onopa , Dewey Coulson, Sam Coulson, and Maggie (Rob) Jicha ; great-grandchildren Izzy, Adrian, Brynn, Aidan, Kinley, and Sylvia; sister-in-law Ginny Graham, and other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, son Dan in 1974, husband Paul, and her brother William Ralph (Lucille).

The family would like to thank the staff of Arbor Trace for their loving care of Mary over the years, as well as Mary’s dear friend, Dot Lindgren.

Mary loved this poem.

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.