Mary Louise Bateman – Villages-News.com

Summerfield Florida – Mary, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, entered the gates of Heaven at the age of 95 on September 9, 2024.

Mary was born on November 24, 1928, the daughter of the late Clarence J. Toner and Susan E. (Gallagher) Toner. She was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana where she graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School and later St. Vincent’s School of Nursing. She met her husband, Paul P. Bateman, in Indiana and they were married for over 40 years until he passed away for heaven in 1992. Mary and Paul spent their last 20 years in Homestead, Florida where Mary pursued her passion for nursing at James Archer Smith Hospital for the next 23 years until she retired.

During her 45-year nursing career, Mary worked on many units, but her favorite was obstetrics, where she assisted in labor and delivery and cared for new mothers. She enjoyed her work for the last 20 years of her career. Just four months after her husband passed away in 1992, Mary suffered further loss due to Hurricane Andrew, which destroyed her home, forcing her to move to Tavernier, Florida. Despite the hour-long commute to the hospital, Mary wanted to continue to dedicate herself to her patients. She continued to be a caring and compassionate nurse at James Archer Smith Hospital for the next three years before retiring in 1995. Mary’s resilience and optimism in difficult situations was truly remarkable. Even in the most difficult times, she was known by many for never complaining and for staying in good spirits, lifting the spirits of those around her.

Upon retirement, Mary moved to Spruce Creek South in Summerfield, Florida, where she found a community she loved and made many friends. She was involved in several clubs over the years and enjoyed going to the clubhouse almost every day to play bingo, bunko, euchre, samba, and Mexican train. Additionally, she belonged to the travel club and took many trips with the club and her family after she retired. Her favorite trip was to Ireland with her two sisters and two nephews, where she learned about her Irish heritage and spent time with family. Mary was an avid reader and enjoyed doing her word searches, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles. She was also an amazing seamstress and enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She did many sewing projects, making blankets and accessories for her grandchildren and a complete wardrobe for her granddaughter’s dolls that will be cherished for generations to come.

Mary leaves behind to cherish her memory her two children, Debbie Kazakis (Jimmy) and Norman Bateman. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Ross Kazakis, Chris Kazakis, Mariann Kazakis, Paul Bateman and Preston Bateman. Her younger sister, Sue Hemmelgarn, also survives her, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her brothers Samuel and Charles Toner, her sister Katherine “Katie” Allen, her daughter-in-law Vanessa Richmond Bateman and many friends.

A special thank you to our mom’s caregivers, Nancy, Jessica, and Ciera from Senior Helpers. We couldn’t have done it without the love they gave Miss Mary. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful mom who was loved by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held on September 21, 2024 at the Hiers-Baxley Life Event Center with a viewing from 3pm to 4pm and the funeral service beginning at 4pm with a catered reception to follow at the Hiers-Baxley Life Event Center located at 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, Fl 32162.