Mary Louise Eldridge, 94 of Beverly Hills, died Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the Brentwood Health Center in Lecanto. Born on November 2, 1921, in Washington, DC to the late Charles E. and Ayla C. (Bledsoe) Stickel, she came here in 2008 from Gaithersburg, MD.
Mary Louise was raised in Washington, D.C. After graduating from McKinley Tech High School in 1939, she worked at miscellaneous jobs (she was even literally chased around the desk once by a boss!), while taking business courses at night. She started working at Acacia Life Insurance Co. in 1940 but left after 2 years to marry Bob, a newly commissioned Second Lt. in the Army Air Force. They were married in Tampa, FL on August 10, 1942, and lived in that area for 1 year. When Bob received his orders to serve overseas, she moved back home with her mother for the duration of World War II, during which time their first son was born. Mary was a “stay at home Mom” doing all the volunteer things that moms do, including teaching Sunday School, helping in the church office and in the elementary school. She also helped with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and in later years enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren. For 3 years she worked in the church office as the Financial Secretary but resigned when Bob Retired so that they would be free to travel. She enjoyed collecting dolls and expanded the collection started by Bob for their daughter Cheryl over 50 years ago from his many trips overseas. Mary also had a paperweight collection, including one she made herself. She and Bob bought a condo in Ocean City, MD in 1983 and enjoyed many wonderful days on the beach with friends and family.
She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl A. Craig of Beverly Hills, FL; sons: Robert F. (Barbara Jean) Eldridge of Boyds, Maryland; Kenneth P. (Donna) Eldridge of Cody, Wyoming; her brother, William H. Stickel, Vienna, VA; grandchildren: Jennifer Skates, Steven Craig, Sara and Matt Eldridge; great grandchildren: Flynn and Oliver Skates; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Col. Robert F. Eldridge, Ret. in 2005, her brother Charles Stickel, sister Helen Barclay and her son-in-law, Bruce Craig.
Funeral services for Mary will be conducted on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 4:00 PM from the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home of Inverness, with Rev. Mary Gestrich of the Floral City United Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends in visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. until the hour of service. Burial will be at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, with her husband, Robert. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the charity of your choosing in Mary’s honor.
Add Comment