Mary Esther Starling

Lakeland " Mary Esther Starling, 95, passed away on August 20, 2016, at Lakeland Regional Hospital. She was born on August 23, 1920, in Cobleskill, New York. She came to Lakeland, Florida, from Maryland 62 years ago. Mary was a devoted, loving wife and mother married for 55 years to her husband, Lindsey. She was an active and faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland, FL, for over 50 years where she served as a church librarian, a greeter, and visitor to the elderly. She served her country during WWII as a WAAC Corporal being a secretary and stenographer for many generals in the United States Army in England, Germany, France and Switzerland. She was awarded with the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WAAC Service Ribbon, and attended the WAAC Administration School. She met her husband, Lindsey, during this time in Berlin, Germany. She attended Business School in New York State. She worked for Nationwide Insurance Company as a secretary for many years in Lakeland and Jacksonville, FL. She was a board-certified realtor, property manager, secretary, and a stenographer with many prestigious honors. She remained active throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lindsey Starling, four sisters, Ellen, Ruth, Virginia, Bertha, and one brother, Joseph. She is survived by two sons, Brian, Golden, CO, and Rodney Starling (wife Winona), Tallahassee, FL; a daughter, Rhonda Starling, Lakeland, FL, and three grandchildren, Zebulon, Thomas, and Mary Liza. A visitation at 9:00-10:00 A.M. and funeral service at 10:00 A.M. will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel on August 30, 2016. Following the service, she will be interred beside her husband, Lindsey Starling, with graveside services at 2:00 pm in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, with full military honors. Service: 08/30/2016 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 S. Ingraham Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 08/30/2016 Heath Funeral Chapel