Mary Alice Codding Deserio

Mary Alice Codding DeSerio, 70, of Orange Park, Florida, died on first day of November, 2010. She was born December 15, 1939, in Winchester, MA, to parents Norman and Alice Codding. A graduate of Tufts University, Mary was a class officer two years and became a life long member of Chi Omega Sorority. Soon after graduation, Mary was thrilled to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida, where she began her career as a teacher. Over the years she was an elementary teacher in Duval County, curriculum assistant in Pinellas County and secondary teacher in Clay County. While in Pinellas County she was asked to be one of the first teachers in the state of Florida to integrate the schools. That was in 1967, and the next year the schools in Florida were finally integrated for all the children and teachers. After retiring from Orange Park High School, she enjoyed playing bridge with friends, reading, gardening, traveling, and riding her Harley especially visiting old and new places in Florida. Her beloved granddaughter, Meghan, played an important part in her life, as she loved activities with Meghan’s friends and their parents. Surviving her is her daughter Deborah DeSerio Myers (Douglas Myers), her son Mark DeSerio, and her granddaughter, Meghan Myers all of Orange Park, Florida. Her son, Mathew DeSerio, died in 1989. A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, located at 12236 Mandarin Road in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, Florida 33785 or to the Argyle Branch Public Library, 7973 Old Middleburg Road South, Jacksonville, Florida 32222.