HIGH POINT — Mary Lewis (Millis) Diffendal passed away at her home on Friday, November 9, 2012 shortly after celebrating her 91st birthday.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in High Point. A visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held in Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mary Lewis was born on November 7, 1921 to the late Henry Albion and Mary (Lewis) Millis at their home, now called Millis Square, in High Point. She was a lifelong resident of the city and loved it. She enjoyed volunteering her time to keep it a wonderful place to live.
Mary Lewis married John Walker Diffendal on July 24, 1943 and they enjoyed 61 years together before his death in 2003.
Mary Lewis was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, served on the altar guild and was a member of St. Margaret's circle. She was a past president of the High Point Debutante Club, a member of Colonial Dames, the High Point Junior League, the S'Amusantes and the High Point Garden Club. She served on the board at the YWCA and Family Services.
Mary Lewis graduated from Ashley Hall in Charleston, SC and Hollins College in Roanoke, VA. She was an avid horsewoman in her youth, and spoke of her love of riding for years after she had her last ride. She loved to travel both near and far, seeing most of the US and many foreign countries. In later years she enjoyed her time at their beach property where she and John continued to make wonderful friends.
Mary Lewis is survived by two daughters, Mary Diffendal of Asheville and Sally Diffendal Williams of Huntersville; one son, Harry Diffendal of Arlington, VA; two grandchildren, Kimberly and Wesley Williams of Huntersville; two nephews; two nieces; one great-niece; and three great-nephews. In addition to her parents and her loving husband of 61 years John, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Millis and her son-in-law, Reggie Williams. Mary Lewis loved her family deeply and was a wonderful mother, grandmother and aunt. She had many friends of all ages, many who have preceded her in death and many who will miss her here on earth.
The family wishes to thank her wonderful caregivers, Cindy Ford, Debbie Green, Nancy Janney, Tammy Huston and Peggie Short as well as her wonderful doctor and neighbor, Richard Orr, who was called to the home many times and was always willing to make a house call. Special thanks also to her hair dresser Diane Saunders, who until she lost her battle here on earth was there for Mary Lewis every week, Lynn Ball-Williams who faithfully came to the home to give Mary Lewis a manicure, and Chuck Brown who put in a sprinkler system but never left, becoming like another son to Mary Lewis and John.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that in memory of Mary Lewis donations be made to a
.
Condolences may be left on Mary Lewis's page at www.cumbyfuneral.com
Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service, High Point.
