Mary England Obituary

Former Durango resident Mary Elizabeth England died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. She was 83.

Ms. England was born to Dr. H.H. and Garnet (Keller) Levi on Feb. 8, 1929, in Carrollton, Ill. She graduated as valedictorian of Carrollton High School in 1948, going on to earn a bachelor of arts in home economics from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill.

On Oct. 25, 1952, she married Dr. Robert Gale England in Richmond Heights, Mo. The marriage later ended in divorce.

She moved to Durango in 1991.

Ms. England was a homemaker, home economist, interior decorator and elementary school teacher. She enjoyed playing bridge, travel, gardening and cats. She also enjoyed hand-quilting and once won second prize at the La Plata County Fair for one of her quilts.

"She had a sassy sense of humor and an outgoing personality throughout her entire life," her family said. "She went to a Grateful Dead concert in the '70s, where she was the only attendee in a pantsuit with a matching purse." The staff members at the Valley Inn who cared for her in her final days described her as a "firecracker," the family said.

Ms. England is survived by her sons Andy England of Durango, Edward England of Shorewood, Ill., and Frederic England of Springfield, Ill.; four grandchildren; one cousin; and numerous nephews and nieces.

At her request, there will be no service at this time. An informal memorial service will take place in the fall.