Mary S. Wanyoike

Mary Wanyoike, age 80, passed away on August 3, 2015 after bravely battling cancer for more than fifteen years. She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, grandmother and teacher. Her Godly example is an inspiration to which we hope to aspire to in our daily lives. Born on March 14, 1935 in Greenwood Delaware, Mary was the second of 12 children born to Perry and Savilla Yoder. Later moving away from her home, she began her pursuit of greater education, attending college and earning a B.A. degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Sociology from Kent State University in 1965. Within the same year, she made the courageous decision to move to Kenya, East Africa, where she immediately began her teaching career, working in various educational institutions. Eventually she met and married her husband Ernest Wanyoike and had their daughter Gatiti on May 25, 1970. Continuing her pursuit of education, Mary devoted a year to research as she developed her master’s thesis entitled “A Diagnosis Study on Kenyan Children With Specific Language/ Reading Disability: Dyslexia,” after which she received a Master of Education in Primary Teacher Education from the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1980. After the loss of her husband in 1983, Mary continued to care for her daughter while working at Kinara Kindergarten, the school she constructed, working as its proprietor and director until she moved back to the States with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in 1989. Upon moving back to the States Mary continued her life’s work as a teacher in the school system while at home she continuously nurtured not only her grandchildren’s education but their faith as well. Even after retiring as a teacher in 2008, she returned to Woodville Elementary School as a volunteer foster grandparent until June 2015. Mary loved people and has touched the lives of many throughout the world with her God given talent of making friends easily. Through her life she demonstrated the life of a follower of Christ. She would begin each day waking up at 5:00 AM to read her bible, meditate, and pray. Church was an important part of her life, evident in her participation as a part of the church prayer team and regularly attending weekly bible studies. Mary was also a great reader, in general, keeping up with various topics associated with the U.S. and the world as well. She had an inquisitive mind and enjoyed long talks and debates on important matters. She enjoyed attending reunions with friends and family and showed her competitive side when playing games at these functions. Mary had a humble spirit, loving smile, tender heart, and her godly example will be a lasting legacy (from Ivan Lasoi a close family friend.) Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Wanyoike; parents, Perry and Savilla Yoder; sister Ella Stutzman. She is survived by her daughter, Gatiti Simon; granddaughters, Stephanie Simon and Megan Simon; siblings, Earl Yoder, Edith Nissley and husband John, Martin Yoder and wife Fannie, Beulah Headings and husband Elton, Arley Yoder, Alta McGhee, Robert Yoder and wife Dorothy, Mark Yoder and wife Rhonda, Joann Hursh and husband Curvin, David Yoder and wife Sharon; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and a lot of close friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Berean Christian Fellowship Church on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 11:00AM. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home, is assisting the family with their arrangements. 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com

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Mary S. Wanyoike

March 14, 1935 - August 3, 2015