Mary Christine (Chris) Hevner of Seaford passed away on Oct. 15, 2024, leaving a void her family cannot fill.
She was born in Woodsboro, Md. on Christmas Day in 1950 to Verona and Theodore Marshall. She was the youngest of seven siblings. Growing up on a dairy farm helped to instill a hard work ethic and deep faith in God and family. She graduated from Walkersville High School and then Fredrick Community College. A natural caregiver, she found her place in nursing and helped to usher in countless babies during her 42 years at Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford. She had a prodigious work ethic and continued her education in nursing, earning her bachelor’s from Salisbury University and her master’s from the University of Delaware. She embedded true strength and grit running several marathons, most likely even after working the night shift at the hospital.
She was an inspiration to many people who would see her running out in the country many miles from home. This fighting spirit would prove helpful in her final years in dealing with a barrage of health issues that most would not be able to endure. She passed away at the same hospital where she helped to bring in so many lives. Her selflessness also drove her to donate record amounts of blood to the blood bank throughout her life as well as obtain the status of Nanticoke’s Employee of the Year.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother to her two sons and grandchildren. She loved attending and cheering them on at their numerous sporting events. She also loved riding her bike. It was commonplace for her to ride her bike to and from work year around. Even in the later years her health issues could not hold her back from her daily rides around the neighborhood. When the weather would not permit, she would ride her stationary bike in the house. One of her favorite places to spend time was on the beach. Before her health issues, if she wasn’t reading a book, she would be running for miles in the soft sand or swimming hundreds of yards in the ocean. Many of the beach patrol lifeguards nicknamed her “the diesel” as a result. Another favorite place of hers to visit was Williamsburg, Va., especially during the spring garden season.
She is survived by Edwin (Jerry), her devoted husband of 53 years; son Luke, his wife Caroline, their children Taylor, Molly, and Sam; son Scott, his wife Dawn, and their son Ashton. She is also survived by her sister Joan (George d.), brother Vernon (Elaine), and sister Judy, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Verona and Theodore Marshall, sister Darlene (Luther d.), brother Ted (Lynn), and sister Barbara (Jack).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Mt Olivet Methodist Church, 315 High Street, in Seaford on Friday, Oct. 25. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until noon and a service will begin at noon. A light lunch will be provided in Fellowship Hall after the service. In honor of her memory, donations can be made to Mt Olivet Methodist Church at https://mountolivetseaford.org or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.