Mary Viola (Metheny) Ormsby passed away on January 1, 2024 after a brief stay in Royal Oaks Care Center. She was 97 years old. Mary grew up in orange grove country near Wachulla in Central Florida. She was the youngest of three children, and is preceded in death by her two brothers, Harold and Ralph Metheny. It was in Florida that she met her lifelong partner and future husband, Lester Ormsby, who was in Florida serving in the military. Les and Mary wed and moved to Arizona, which remained their base during their 77-year marriage.
Mary had a great love of seeing the world and enjoyed traveling with her husband, Lester. She accompanied Les on many business trips during his career as Executive Director of Arizona Power Authority and as a board member of Tohono O'odham Utility Authority. After Les’ retirement, the couple toured the world by cruise line and train, visiting countless countries.
Besides residing at at Royal Oaks Retirement Community since 2001, she enjoyed her second home in Rocky Point, Mexico. Purchased in 1972, she shared her Cholla Bay cabin with a large circle of friends who enjoying boating and fishing. As active members of the Arizona Power Squadron, she hosted many boating related dinners and events at their home in Rocky Point.
Inspired by a father that read to her regularly, Mary was an avid reader with a sharp memory for detail. One can only imagine the size of the bookcase that would represent her Kindle reading list. She enjoyed good health throughout her life and was able to experience snow seal births in the Arctic, hikes to archeological sites in Mexico, and elephant rides in the tropics.
Mary is survived by her husband, Lester Stanton Ormsby of Sun City, and two sons. The oldest Larrie Ralph Ormsby and his partner, Carole Thickstun, are artists living in Marana, Arizona. Her younger son, Kitt Stanton Ormsby, and his wife, Mary Celeste Ormsby, are retired and living in Scottsdale. Arizona. Three grandchildren, Marlena Ormsby of Portland, Oregon; Katherine Ormsby of Chandler, Arizona; and Evan Ormsby and his partner Rachel Trent of Laveen, AZ, and two great grandchildren, Matthew Wayne Skipper and Aaron Ormsby of Chandler.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on February 24, 2024 in the Life Enrichment Center, at Royal Oaks Lifecare Community, 10015 W Royal Oak Road, Sun City, AZ 85351 from 1:00pm until 3:30pm. Parking is available on Royal Oak Road—follow the signs. Limited parking is available near the Life Enrichment Center by entering the Community through the security gates—follow the signs.
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