Mary Elizabeth Apgar

APGAR, Mary Elizabeth, loving wife of Lt Colonel C.F. Apgar, USAF, retired; beloved mother of Robert C. (Dorinda) of Tallahassee, FL, Kenneth E. (Karen) of Tampa, FL, Peggy Apgar Schmidt (Richard) of Fort Myers, FL and James H. of Tallahassee, FL died August 11, 2017 at University Village in Tampa Florida. She was predeceased by her brother, James. Mary is survived by her husband of 74 years, Charles F. Apgar; her four children and their spouses; 10 grandchildren, Michele Johnson, John Apgar, Jennifer Apgar, Matthew Dinkel, Paige Apgar Continentino, Vanessa Apgar Carreira and Eden Apgar, August Schmidt, Owen Schmidt, Aaron Schmidt; 12 great-grandchildren, McKenzie Campagnolo, Joah Continentino, Liah Continentino, Rayne Carreira, Reece Dinkel, Ella Dinkel, Lila Dinkel and Easton Groover, Finn Schmidt, Everly Schmidt, Nora Schmidt and newborn baby girl Schmidt; sisters, Billie Camp (Dorothy) of Colorado and Betty Sue Mason (Ronnie) of Plant City, FL; and nieces and nephews, Shirley Camp, Sylvia Camp, Susan Rayburn, Ronnie Mason II, Julie Otte and Doug Mason. Mary was a proud mother, perfect mother-in-law, and an adoring grandmother and great-grandmother. Born February 21, 1923 to Mildred and James Camp near Bowden, Georgia, Mary then moved with her family to Tampa, Florida where she grew up. She attended Hillsborough High School and the Nebraska Avenue Methodist Church where she met the love of her life, Charles F. Apgar. They were married on April 4, 1943. Chuck joined the Army Air Corps, initially training in a Stearman Aircraft at Americus Georgia and hitchhiking to see Mary on his days off. During his thirty year career in the Air Force he and Mary traveled extensively. They lived on bases in Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and all over the United States, while raising four children. Every new place they were stationed Mary embraced new friends, joined local activities and churches, and found new ways to use her organizational skills and time volunteering to help others. After retiring to Tampa to be close to family, Mary worked for Maas Brothers for several years becoming a department manager. Mary and Chuck stayed active with the Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church attending many Bible studies and Sunday School classes. Mary was active with the United Methodist women’s groups and served as a Stephen Minister to provide one on one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life. She played bridge, read, knitted, walked and swam daily and became an accomplished tennis player competing in a women’s league well into her 80’s. Mary was always friendly and outgoing. She loved to be around people. She always had a warm smile and a gracious welcome for anyone she met. Her family was her greatest joy. She loved having a house full of grandchildren and hosting large family gatherings for dinner. She also loved to travel and she and Chuck went on many international cruises and tours after retirement. In her late 70’s Mary flew alone to Brazil to attend her granddaughter’s wedding. In 2004, at 81, she toured New Zealand with her daughter and son-in-law. While on a helicopter tour of the glacier on Mt Cook in New Zealand, Mary skipped away from the group to stand by herself. She said she wanted to stand where no human being had been before. In later years Mary and Chuck moved to University Village where they continued to socialize with friends and family. Mary died after a long, courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s. Throughout her illness she never lost her bright smile and interest in other people. The family is grateful to Mary’s caregivers, Tracey Bradford and Adraine Lewis, for the love and devotion they showed to Mary and her family during her illness. Mary will be missed by her loved ones but we are also thankful that her death was peaceful and not prolonged. The Memorial Service will be held on Friday August 18th at 4:00pm in the Chapel, Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave, Tampa (813- 963-0356). If you wish to honor her memory, please donate to the church or your favorite charity in her memory. Words of comfort may be expressed for Mary's family by clicking on the “Share a Memory” link below.