Mary L’Engle Sears Obituary (1949 - 2016)

Mary L'Engle Sears died on August 31, 2016 in Melrose, Florida after a long brave struggle with gallbladder cancer. She was 66 years old. Ms. Sears was born September 27, 1949 in Santa Ana, California to Simon and Madeleine Theoktisto. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1967. Ms. Sears became a member of the Association of Legal Administrators in 1979, and worked for many years as a legal assistant, and in various settings of business management. Ms. Sears is survived by her sister Susan L'Engle Defigueiredo, brother Philip Theoktisto ( Karen), and brother Peter Theoktisto; nieces Kezia L'Engle Figueiredo, Anna Camardese (Joseph), Mary Theoktisto, and Christina Blanchard ( Josh), and great niece Zoe L'Engle Runkles. Ms. Sears was preceded in death by her husband Richard Sears; and her parents Simon and Madeleine Theoktisto. Mary was deeply involved with the Episcopal Church for the majority of her life. From her baptism on February 12, 1950 at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Los Angeles, her confirmation on December 13, 1959 at St. Mark's Church, Diocese of Los Angeles, to her many years involved with volunteering at the soup kitchen at the St. John's Cathedral in Jacksonville, Florida, and studying at the Anglican Institute in the Diocese of Florida at the School of Theological Studies. Her beliefs and spirituality led her on a journey to study and obtain her role as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. Recently she utilized this role to minister to the people of the Otey Episcopal Church in Sewanee, Tennessee. A memorial service will take place on September 24, 2016, at 11:00 am, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, Florida with a reception to follow at the family home in Melrose. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary's life. The family would like to thank all her friends and church family in Sewanee, Tennessee for all their kind love and support. Flowers and donations can be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, Florida or Otey Episcopal Church in Sewanee, Tennessee.