Watford, 87 MILFORD - Mary Elizabeth Watford died unexpectedly on February 15, 2016. She was 87 years young. Mary leaves a legacy of passionate animal welfare advocacy created through four decades of service to the Delaware community. Since establishing the Animal League of Delaware, Inc., in 1979, she rescued hundreds of abandoned and abused animals, providing support, shelter and veterinary care. Her active legislative lobbying helped usher four important anti-cruelty bills to state law where no significant animal protections previously existed. She also provided expert witness testimony and public education efforts through newspaper and radio. By interfacing with other rescue organizations, Mary was able to nurture public awareness and commitment to animal welfare, leaving a far more robust rescue community than when she began. Her colleagues helped re-shelter her remaining clowder of kitties after her death. With Stroman, her husband of 38 years, Mary enjoyed a lively interest in buying and selling antique advertising, toys and collectibles, traveling the country and developing several well-known collections. She was considered an expert in valuation and restoration. Her skills served her well as props master for the Dover Theater Group. Even to her last days her eyes sparkled with the thrill of the hunt prowling for treasures of unrecognized value. Born Mary Elizabeth Corin in Detroit, Mich., to Thomas Charlesworth Corin and Phyllis Gabell Corin, Mary (Mims) spent summers sailing on the St. Clair River off Harsen's Island with her brother Tom and many cousins, a welcome distraction to the hardships of the Great Depression. Her formidable creative energies included music, art, theater and puppetry, as well as nurturing many different pets over the years. She graduated from University of Michigan (1950) with a degree in sociology and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority Iota chapter. As a young adult Mary taught dancing for and with Arthur Murray in New York. She sang in numerous concert and church choirs over the years, including the New York Philharmonic Chorale and Dover Community Chorale. She had a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of classical composers and their works, but loved all genres of music. Passionate about education, Mary volunteered with disabled children as well as identifying gifted and talented students before such programs were common in school systems. Through a variety of leadership positions she ushered her daughters through Girl Scouts, 4H, and their myriad of music, theater and sports activities. In addition to giving of her time and talent, Mary donated her treasure to World Wildlife Fund, National Humane Society, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, among others. She was quick with a hearty laugh, read both people and animals insightfully, and revered books of all kinds. Her three daughters were raised with a deep respect for musical discipline, commitment to education, and serving from inherent gifts divinely given. Mary loved her family and beamed with pride over the lives of her daughters, niece and grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Thomas Corin; first husband, Robert Bentley; husband and father of her children, Cameron F. Campbell; and husband, Stroman T. Watford, Sr.; as well as her long time best friend and renowned sculpture artist, Pamela Stump. She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia C. Campbell of Norwalk Conn., Heather Campbell and husband Jerry Landeck of Denver, Colo., and Janet Campbell of Upper Black Eddy, Pa.; niece, Elizabeth Corin Vincent and husband Rick of Plymouth, Mich.; nephew, Marc Corin; granddaughter, Amelia Vastola and husband Peter of Ewing, N.J. (great grandchild on the way); grandsons, Andreas and Christopher Landeck of Colorado; stepson, Stroman 'Pete' Watford, Jr. and wife Bonnie of Milford; stepdaughters, Mary M. Vannoy and husband Bob of Cheswold, Dana Kavanaugh of Felton, Theresa Furber and husband Sonny of Camden; and many grandchildren and great grand children of the Watford family. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11 a.m., at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Camden-Wyoming, where friends may call one hour earlier. A reception for family and friends will follow at Harvest Years Senior Center, 30 South St., Camden. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to honor Mary's memory made to Homeless Cat Helpers, Inc., PO Box 1234, Seaford, DE 19973; SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934, or Project Paws, PO Box 1125, Bethany Beach, DE 19930.