Mary D. Nicodemus, of Dover, died May 2, 2014 at Westminster Health Center at the age of 103. Born in Curryville, PA, she was the daughter of Ora Fouse and Samuel Nicodemus of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania.
Mary earned a nursing degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1931, where her sister was director of nursing. She worked as an emergency room nurse, a public health nurse serving soldiers from World War II, and a private duty nurse in Philadelphia. Before relocating to Dover in 1975, she continued her nursing duties with elderly parents who lived with her during their final years.
Mary had a zest for living and enjoyed dancing, listening to music, caring for her pet Yorkies, and observing the wonders of nature and wildlife. She voted in elections spanning 60 years. Most of all, she liked to travel. At age 90, she climbed a cliffside kiva ladder in New Mexico to visit ancient dwellings. She drove a red Buick until age 99, the age at which she took her last motorcycle ride. Accepting of others and generous in her love, Mary was beloved by family and friends. She will be remembered for a positive outlook, smiles for others, her independence and ability to live by herself in her home on Division Street until age 99.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister. Survivors include three nieces, Sue Burns of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Mary Dudley, M.D., Kansas, Missouri, Nancy McGoron, Ft Lauderdale, Florida, great-nephew Rob Dudley, Cedar Crest, New Mexico; cousins Carol Weyandt, Joanne Nicodemus, Louise Shirk, and Vernon Nicodemus, Pennsylvania; loving friends Joanne Groom, Easton, Maryland, Barbara Whorton, Bethany Beach, Delaware; Kim Whorton and Paula Sterling of Laurel, Delaware; Dawn Proietto, Dover, Delaware; and Abby Barnes, Sykesville, Maryland, and a friend from another country, Ariel Romero, of El Salvador.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 12 pm at the Salt Pond Clubhouse, 400 Bethany Loop, Bethany Beach, DE. Memorial gifts may be made to The Nicodemus Wilderness Project for “Empowering youth while protecting nature.” Mary was a charter member. www.wildernessproject.org
Life’s End Services are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc. Condolences may be forwarded and Guest Book signed via www.ambruso.com
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