Mary Hershaw
Mary Elizabeth (Wyatt) Hershaw, age 99, of Petersburg, WV and Shoreview, MN passed peacefully in her sleep on October 4, 2023. Mary was the fifth of seven children born to Archie and Jessie (Wicklander) Wyatt in Bethel, Minnesota. Growing up, trips to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota) were a favorite activity. She attended Cooper Corner Grammar School and St. Francis High School.
During World War II Mary moved with her older sister Jane to Hollywood, California to support Lockheed’s administrative efforts. Not enjoying letter writing, Jane charged Mary with writing back home only on Sundays, which she did diligently until the war concluded.
Mary met and married George Hershaw in 1954. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Anne, and a son, Thomas Donald. As a family, they made uncountable memories traveling the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers on the houseboat and spending weekends at the cabins with family and friends.
Mary greatly enjoyed traveling. Throughout her lifetime she would visit all but one continent, Antarctica, which she deliberately chose not to visit. Most times her traveling companions included her beloved sisters-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty”, Margaret, and Minnie Wyatt along with her dear friend, Joan Miller.
Mary was a longtime member of Parkview United Church of Christ in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Having spent most of her life in Minnesota and Iowa, Mary moved to West Virginia late in life where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Rev. Larry Hakes.
Many on Earth will carry on Mary’s memory including her daughter Elizabeth (Larry) Hakes of Petersburg, WV, granddaughters Jessie (Brian) McMasters of Rockford, IL and Megan (Michael) Skubovius of Washington, PA; grandson Donald (Caroline Norman) Hershaw of Milwaukee, WI; six grandchildren Connor, Finley, Ellison, and Sydney McMasters along with MacKenzie and Maison Skubovius; sister-in-law Jo Ann Wyatt, many nieces, nephews, and longtime beloved friends.
Mary was greeted by the Lord and many loved ones including, her husband George, her son Tom, her parents Archie and Jessie; her siblings and their spouses Jane (Art) Sanders, Leigh (Myrtice) Wyatt, Willis (Minnie) Wyatt, Earl (Margaret) Wyatt, Archie Wyatt Jr., and Gordon (Elizabeth “Betty”) Wyatt.
In honoring Mary’s wishes her body will be cremated. A celebration of life will take place in Petersburg, WV on October 7, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hedrick Chapel Church with her son-in-law Rev. Larry Hakes, officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service. At a later date, a service will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota with Rev. Carolyn Saunders, officiating. Following the service, interment will take place at the family cemetery in Bethel, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Mary in a special way, may make contributions to the family, c/o Schaeffer Funeral Home, 11 North Main Street, Petersburg, WV 26847
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art.
