Mary Louise Traver Oxley
Mary Louise Traver Oxley, 91, died Oct. 29, 2011, in Marble Falls. She was born on Dec. 22, 1919, in Rhinebeck, New York.
A graduate of New Paltz State Teacher College, she taught first grade for one year. She then worked in a defense plant before joining the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. She served 18 months as an aerographer 3. Never one to be still, she held various jobs from waitressing to civil service accountant and varied home businesses.
She was a very independent lady who was always finding another project. She never said “I can’t,” was always on the go and dressed colorfully with dangling earrings and Crocs to match her outfit.
She and her husband Elmo Oxley moved to Marble Falls in the early 1970s. She was a charter member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, and the Marble Falls Senior Activity Center. She continued attending the senior center, where she earned the title “Canasta Queen.”
She remained active in bowling, serving as secretary of the Double Trouble Plus One league until her health deteriorated. Always loving animals, she and others worked with Animal Companions for the Elderly by taking pets to nursing homes once a month to brighten the day for residents. Handy with her hands, she participated actively with church bazaars. In addition she served Trinity as a lay reader, loyal choir member and never missed Thursday morning prayer.
She moved to Gateway Villa two years ago and soon began to call it home. She continued attending community activities as long as her health allowed her to participate.
She took part in all the activities at Gateway, gathering groups to play cards if there was an opening in the schedule, reading poetry for special occasions, attending Bible study and never missing a musical program. Even after entering hospice care, she took her sitter with her to activities including chair aerobics and bingo, often winning more than once.
Friends could always keep up with her travels about Marble Falls and surrounding towns because her white Buick had U.S. flags flying from her windows. She was lovingly referred to as the “flag lady.”
When she could not buy the window flags, she sewed her own.
Survivors include niece Linda and husband James Isbell of Ralls, and Penny and husband George Miller of Marble Falls, as well as other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Roy Frost Traver and Bertha Van Wagner Traver; sisters Jeanette Stone and Marjorie Higgs; brother Roy Traver Jr. and her husband.
A memorial was held Nov. 1 at Trinity, 909 Ave. D in Marble Falls.
Arrangements by the Neptune Society, 4101 Airport Freeway in Fort Worth, (817) 838-5100.
Her extended family thanks Dr. Peter Gosselink and his nurses, Gateway employees both at the Villa and the Gardens, her new friends at the Villa, members of Trinity , drivers for her activities, the staff of Lighthouse Hospice and sitters Betty, Mabel, and Rosie.
Donations in her memory can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 850, Marble Falls, TX 78654, Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, PO Box 1041, Marble Falls, TX 78654, or a charity of choice.