Mary Josephine Hoyle

MARY JOSEPHINE (LIND) HOYLE, age 97, of Lakeland, Florida, died
peacefully in her sleep shortly after midnight on April 7, 2021, in the
beloved family home where she and her late husband, James (Leonard)
Hoyle, also of Lakeland, lived for over 30 years. Mrs. Hoyle had been
suffering declining health for the past six months.

Mary Jo was born in Bay City, Michigan, on Aug 2,1923, and was the
oldest daughter of Edna and Elmer Lind. Her mother died when she was 4
and her step mother was killed when Mary Jo was just 12. These critical
events contributed to Mary Jo's extraordinary inner strength and
independence. That independence was tempered slightly when at 18 she
attended a NewYear's Eve House Party and met 18 year old (James)
Leonard Hoyle, a young man from Linwood, Michigan. Jo and "Bud" soon
fell in love, married, and conceived their first child, Judith Ann, just as the
US was getting involved in World War II. When Bud was drafted and went
off to serve in Europe with the Army Corp of Engineers, like many young
mothers of her day, Mary gave birth to and cared for her infant baby while
awaiting Bud's return.

After the war, Bud and Jo went on to have a total of six children and
established homes in Bay City and Kawkawlin, Michigan. Mary was a busy
homemaker, helping with school events, leading a cub scout troop,
supporting the local Girl Scouts, and caring for her children. In 1963 when
Bud was offered a position with the Michigan State Highway Department,
the Hoyles moved to Brighton, Michigan with their four youngest children,
Mango, Pat, Bill and Dawn, leaving behind Judy, who was now Mrs. Judy
Collins, and Mike, their oldest Son, who was attending General Motors
Institute. As they settled into their new neighborhood, Mary Jo was busy
with her children and making a home for her family yet found time to join
her husband for a couples' bowling league, a pastime she enjoyed for
many years. Tragedy struck again for Mary in November, 1978 when their
youngest son, Bill, just 18, was killed in a hunting accident.

In 1982 when Bud retired, he and Jo sold their home, purchased a 30 foot
GMC motorhome, and said goodbye to family, friends and all that was
familiar in order to see the country. They decided it was time to each
choose one of their nicknames and end the confusion for the future. Bud
and Jo became Jim and Mary. They traveled full time for more than five
years, and it was during this time that they developed their love of treasure
hunting at flea markets, antique shops and garage sales. Mary began with
a small collection of twenty turtle pendants and pins, and steadily grew her
collection over the next 40 years to include more than 7500 turtle themed
collectibles. She soon became known throughout Central Florida as "The
Turtle Lady." A favorite pastime was taking visiting family and friends to the
markets to shop for turtle collectibles, then meeting back for "Show and
Tell," verification that there were no duplicates in the collection as a result
of the day's purchases, and officially recording the new turtle count. Her
collection included everything from coffee tables and lamps to buttons and
salt shakers. "lf turtles are a sign of longevity, I should live to be 100!" She
would proudly proclaim. As Mary's collection grew, the motorhome
became too small a space to display her treasures, so she and Jim
decided to again put down roots.

In 1987, they Settled in Lakeland, FL. They found their perfect little home in
a quiet neighborhood on the east end of town and became fast friends
with three other couples on the street. Helga and Clint DeEson, Joann and
Oliver Smith, and Kim and Don Hall would become Mary's support system
when tragedy would strike her life twice more. In 2010, Dawn, the
youngest of their six children succumbed to a 15 year battle with breast
cancer. In 2001, after winning her own battle with stomach cancer just two
years before, Mary lost her beloved husband of 59 years to terminal lung
cancer.

With her surviving children grown and busy with families of their own, Mary
struck out for her next adventure by joining the Amvets Post 32 in
Lakeland. Starting as a volunteer and contributing mountains of baked
goods for fund raisers and potlucks, as well as donating hours of
gardening services. Mary soon was elected Chaplain of the Ladies
Auxiliary. She thrived in her leadership role and proudly spoke on behalf of
the Auxiliary at numerous local Memorial Day and Veterans' Day events.
She often volunteered to wheel disabled vets to Sunday Services in the VA
Hospital chapel, and delivered cards and gifts to the sick or elderly
members of the Post. Eventually Mary began to lose her sight to macular
degeneration and when she could no longer drive, she decided to give up
her cherished volunteer work and focus on her gardening and tending her
massive collection of turtles. When at age 95 she broke her hip in a fall
while pruning her grape vines, she fought fiercely to regain her strength
and independence. She continued living on her own in the home she
dearly loved until last fall when it was no longer safe for her to do so.
Despite being frail and nearly blind in her last months, Mary wanted to
remain at home, and her family was blessed and forever grateful to find a
full time caregiver who could make that dream come true.

Despite tne many challenges that came her way, Mary Hoyle lived to
experience 18 Presidents (Jimmy Carter was her favorite) and saw family
members go off to WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Viet Nam War and
conflicts in the Middle East. She was a 25 year cancer survivor and a life
member of the Amvets Post 32. She was preceded in death by her doting
and beloved husband James Leonard (Bud) Hoyle and brother Peter Lind
of White Hall. Having been unable to finish high school, Mary was very
proud to be the mother of Judith (Barry) Brown, a librarian for the Sage
Library System for 50 years; Michael (Edie) Hoyle a retired chemical
engineer for General Motors; Margo Brewer, a retired elementary school
principal, and Patrick (Connie) Hoyle, a retired mechanical engineer for
General Motors, as well as the late William Hoyle, a high school senior and
the late Dawn (Rick) Norling, a registered nurse. In addition to her children,
Mary is survived by twenty four grand children and many great grand
children, all of whom will remember Grandma Hoyle's cheery disposition
and ever optimistic outlook.

Cremation was performed by Lanier Funeral Home in Lakeland, Florida.
Burial will be private. Mary felt blessed to have lived so long, seen so
much, and enjoyed so many memories with such wonderful family and
friends. Remember her with a smile in your heart. In lieu of flowers, please
help honor and celebrate Mary's long life well lived by doing a good deed
for someone who can't repay you for your kindness.

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