Mary Mcarthur
Age - 83
November 23, 2023
"Mary Ann Thornton McArthur, 83, of Belleair, FL, died November 11, 2023. Active in many areas of the community, her proudest roles were those of wife, mother, and grandmother. The things she enjoyed most were family activities and travel together, her friends, work, reading, playing bridge, and cooking delicious Southern meals. She measured her wealth by the expressions and actions of love by the members of her family toward each other. By that standard, Mary Ann considered herself to be among the wealthiest people who ever lived. Born on December 24, 1939, Mary Ann was the only child of Randolph Kenneth Thornton and Mary Elizabeth Hall Thornton, in Albany, GA, and was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert B. McArthur (Gil), to whom she was happily married for more than 61 years; her son, James Caldwell McArthur (Connolly), Belleair; her daughter, Elizabeth Hall McArthur Whiteley (Rich), Tampa; and four beloved grandchildren, James Lightfoot (Jay) McArthur, Belleair, Logan Connolly McArthur, Belleair, John Banks Whiteley, Tampa, and Elsie Hall Whiteley, Tampa. She grew up in Albany, where her parents were in the hotel and hospitality business. Graduating from Albany High School, she was an honor student and active in student government. Mary Ann graduated from Florida State University in 1962, majoring in hotel and restaurant management, where she was also president of Kappa Delta sorority, captain of the Tarpon Club synchronized swimming team, active in student government and the college of business. While at FSU Mary Ann met Gil. They were married after her graduation and resided in Clearwaterwhere Mary Ann immediately became immersed in the local community as an active volunteer. She volunteered with Morton Plant Hospital Foundation and soon was honored to co-chair with Patti Mulock the first ever Morton Plant Foundation fund raising event, an antique auction. Later she became president of the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin. For twenty years, Mary Ann and Gil served on the original Omelette Party Committee, having been one of the five young couples selected by the event founders to help continue that tradition benefitting then UPARC, now The Arc. During those years, Mary Ann and Gil also co-chaired the annual Morton Plant Hospital Charity Ball. As their son and daughter were growing up, Mary Ann chose to become active in her own business, becoming associated with then Rodgers \u0026amp; Cummings which later after several mergers became Coldwell Banker. In 2014, she was invited to join the young firm of Coastal Properties Group and Christie's International Properties Group in Belleair, which began another exciting chapter in her successful role in a profession which she loved and to which she brought much talent and skill, working tirelessly with her clients to bring innovative solutions to their real estate challenges. At the same time, Mary Ann continued her volunteer work with community causes she favored, serving on the board of Morton Plant Hospital and later Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation. When Mary Ann and Gil moved into the Belleview Biltmore Villas, she again served that new community as president of the condominium association board of directors for five years. Since 1969, Mary Ann was an active member of Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Clearwater. Recently, Mary Ann and Gil were honored to receive The Salvation Army's Dr. William E. Hale Community Spirit Award. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave. in Clearwater on Saturday, 23 December at 10:00 A. M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church of the Ascension, Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation, The Arc, The Salvation Army, or the charity of one's choice"Show more
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