Mary Diehl, 100, of Vero Beach, passed away on Oct. 28, at Indian River Medical Center.
She is survived by her three children, Barbara Wilson, Jim Diehl, and Julie Holloway; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Val, in 2008.
Diehl dedicated her life to her husband, Val, to whom she was married for 68 years, and to her three children.
She was born Mary Ellen Condon in Mt. Vernon, S.D., on Jan. 4, 1914. Her family moved to Mitchell, S.D., where she graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1934. She attended Presentation College in Mitchell and graduated in 1936 with a degree in education.
Diehl was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She taught elementary school for several years in South Dakota. In 1940, she married Val Diehl, a native of Mitchell. Mr. Diehl began his career with Nabisco Inc., in 1942 and after a three-year service in the US Navy, returned to Nabisco, eventually becoming President and Chief Operating Officer in 1973.
In 1954, her husband’s career took Diehl overseas to London where she lived with her family for more than six years. She returned to the United States in 1963 and lived in Westfield, N.J. until her husband’s retirement. During this time, she was a math teacher at Oak Knoll School in Summit, N.J.
Diehl also enjoyed painting and began taking golf lessons. In 1981, they moved to Vero Beach, where she enjoyed many rounds of golf and games of bridge. She and her husband spent several summers in Elk River, N.C. They were members of Baltusrol Golf Club, Elk River Club, John’s Island and Grand Harbor. They were also members of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
A Memorial Service in Mary’s honor will be held at a later time. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.