Mary Ruth Parrish Haviland

Mary Ruth Parrish Haviland passed away on Friday, July 3, 2015, at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point. She had been in declining health for several months.

Mary was born in Kernersville, on August 25, 1922, to Wade and Hilah Barrow Parrish. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert (Bob) Haviland; infant daughter, Janet Haviland; grandson, Robert Burge; and sisters Elsie Lasley, Sally Cline and Eloise Lain. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Randy Burge of High Point; grandson, Matthew Burge and wife Katy of Charlotte; sister Ershil Fisher of Laurinburg; great-grandsons Harrison and Thomas Burge of Charlotte; nieces Cheryl Sapp of Kernersville, and Jane Everett and husband Jim of Supply; nephews Jim Fisher and wife Jane of Raleigh, John Fisher and wife Ann of Greensboro, and Jack Fisher and wife Venus of Bakersfield, CA.

Mary was a graduate of Kernersville High School and St. Leo's School of Nursing in Greensboro. After graduation she worked as a civilian employee in the dental clinic at the Army Air Corps Overseas Replacement Depot. Mary met the great love of her life, Robert (Bob) Haviland while he was stationed at ORD. They were married in Greensboro in October 1943. When Bob was sent to India during World War II, Mary went to live with his parents in Danbury, CT. After Bob's return home at the end of the war, they remained in Connecticut and started a family. In 1957 they moved to Kernersville.

Mary returned to nursing in 1959 and worked as the director of nursing at the North Carolina Baptist Home for the Aged in Winston-Salem. In 1974 she joined the staff of the Guilford County Health Department as a public health nurse until her retirement in 1988. During that time she was given a letter of commendation from the State of NC for her recognition and diagnosis of a patient's serious communicable disease that had been overlooked by medical staff at a hospital emergency room. Mary's love of nursing was so great that after officially retiring, she subsequently joined the call-back program at the Health Department and worked ten additional years.

Mary had a strong religious faith and was actively involved in teaching Sunday School at First Church of Christ Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT. She became a devoted member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Kernersville upon her return to NC.

Mary was involved in many community activities, serving as a Brownie Scout leader in CT, a Girl Scout Leader at Main Street United Methodist Church and a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and the March of Dimes. She was a past member of the Kernersville Women's Club and a former secretary of the Piedmont Saddle Club in Colfax.

Mary's religious faith, love of family and her nursing vocation were cornerstones of her life. She was the quintessential nurse, but she was also a joy to know: a true lady whose caring nature, kind spirit, love of laughter, humor and positive outlook made her beloved by those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Sunday, July 5, 2015. A funeral service will be held at the Chapel of Main Street United Methodist Church in Kernersville on Monday, July 6, 2015, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Mary's memory may be made to the Building Fund at Main Street United Methodist Church, 306 S. Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284.

The family extends a special thanks to the staff of McEwen House at Pennybyrn at Maryfield for their highly skilled and compassionate care. The support and love that they provided to Mary and her family are an example of what everyone hopes that their aging loved ones can experience. The McEwen House staff is the gold standard in treatment and care of the elderly.

Previous Events

Cemetery Details