Mary Walton Van Campen, 92, of Vero Beach, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at her daughter’s Racine, Wis., residence.
Mary was born in St. David’s, Pa., Jan. 9, 1918, daughter of the late Thomas England and Georgia (Nee: Bonnell) Walton and was the last surviving family member of eight children. Mary was a graduate of Ogontz Junior College, Philadelphia, Pa. On Oct. 19, 1940, she married Berington Rathbun Van Campen, who preceded her in death on Feb. 2, 1987.
While bringing up her family, she resided in Gibsonia, and later Allison Park, Pa. She was a member of the Bakerstown Presbyterian Church and Richland Civic Club.
Mary was an award-winning actress, director and teacher of theatre and musical productions at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Glenshaw Players and the Little Red Barn Community Theatre.
Moving to Vero Beach in 1979, she continued her work in dramatics at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild. She and her late husband were also members of the Vero Beach Yacht Club and the First Presbyterian Church.
Despite Mary’s accomplishments as Thespian, singer, fine artist and mentor, she was, first and foremost, a caring and loving mother who possessed great wisdom and sensitivity. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors include her four children: Karen Van Campen (Peter) Jansson, of Racine; Marianne Van Campen (Frank) Decker, of Quogue, N.Y.; Lynn Van Campen (Dexter B. Northrop), of Fitchburg, Wis.; Berington Rathbun Van Campen, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif.; her five grandchildren, Keil (Nora) Decker, Alec (Robin) Decker, Anne Decker (Steven Toomey), Georgia Jansson (Andrew) Williams, Eric Van Campen (Laura) Jansson; her eight great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Clara Toomey, Phoebe Decker, Elizabeth, Anna, and Theodore Williams, Thomas and Naomi Jansson; sisters-in-law, Kathy Walton and Mary Kaye Walton; brother-in-law, James Parcher; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her four sisters, Clarissa McNair, Winifred Stetson Todd, Nancy Byles, Martha Jean Parcher; and by her three brothers, George, Thomas and Robert Walton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Avenue, with the Rev. Nathan James officiating and Dr. Samuel Logan of Philadelphia participating.
Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Memorials to The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, www.lupuspa.org, Pocono/ Northeast Branch, 615 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 are suggested.
Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, (262) 634-7888.
Condolences may be sent to: www.meredithfuneralhome.com.
