Mary A. King, RN, 67

NEWARK - Mary A. King, RN, age 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Newark on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, after a valiant 10-year battle with breast cancer. Her beloved husband, Bill, was at her side. Born on Feb. 16, 1942, in Norfolk, Va., Mary was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Md. From earliest childhood, her gentle, friendly manner won her many lifelong friends; as a young woman, her classic beauty won her much admiration in local pageants. With Bill and their young family, Mary moved many times over 34 years to many places-including Australia, Jamaica, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Milford, Wilmington, and, finally, Newark, in Delaware. While living in Pennsylvania, Mary embarked on her second true vocation after motherhood by earning her degree in nursing from Bucks County Community College in 1993. She began her career caring for patients at Quakertown Community Hospital, and, after moving to Delaware, worked for a number of hospice organizations. She was employed as a nurse for her own oncologist, Dr. Siamak Samii, as well. Mary's caring nature and complete dedication to her patients eased them in their final days and gave tremendous comfort to their families. Her colleagues greatly admired her as well for her matchless professionalism, compassion, and sensitivity. With her trademark perseverance, Mary would continue to work in nursing long after her cancer diagnosis, before retiring in 2008. A gifted artist throughout her life, Mary enjoyed making many types of crafts and painting still life canvases. Her homes were also her canvases and she decorated each of them beautifully with the items she and Bill collected in their travels. Of her collections, including vintage pincushion dolls, angel figurines, and native art, perhaps most famous among family and friends was her "religious wall" which featured antique devotional artwork and unique Catholic memorabilia. She was very passionate about gardening and took great pride in caring for the lovely plants, trees, and flowers around her home. In earlier years, she also enjoyed playing golf and sewing. Above all else, Mary was devoted to her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. For the Christmas season--which she loved--she delighted in preparing special gifts for each one. Despite her illness, she also succeeded in her goal of joining her family in celebrating her oldest grandson's wedding in June of this year. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Elwood and Ruth (Conway) Ball; and her sister, Sydney Lynn Ball. She is survived by her husband, William E. King; her children, Dawn Phillips and husband Dale of Lincoln, Skip Bray of St. Louis, Mo., and Ben E. King of Denver, Colo.; and her grandchildren, Adaline, Britain, Julianna, Tara, Mary, Bo, Brock, and Aaron and his wife, Sarah. Mary was so grateful that her biological family found her after 30 years apart. She instantly had an additional four sisters and three brothers, Carla Etters, Maggie Lam, Mary Frank, Marti Johnson, Billy Worrells, John Harrell, and Dennis Harrell. A memorial service will be 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, where visitation will begin at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Mary to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read's Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720. To sign guest register, visit spicermullikin.com.