~ IN MEMORY ~
Mary Louise von Zedtwitz, former
stewardess and widow of C&S/DL Capt. John von Zedtwitz
January 7, 1920 ~ December 3,
2015
Notification with the passing of early
stewardess Mary Louise Pickett von Zedtwitz, widow of C&S/DL pilot Captain
John von Zedtwitz.
Captain von Zedtwitz, DOB January 3, 1912
and date of death October 13, 1996, was based MSY and ATL.
Services for Mary were held December 9th
in Illinois. Online condolences may be shared at http://rendlemanhilemanfh.com/
Arrangements were entrusted to Rendleman
& Hileman Funeral Home of Anna, Illinois.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary......................
She was born Jan. 7, 1920, in Anna to Mary Frances and Claude Pickett. She was the middle of three children, having an older and younger brother, both of whom preceded her in death.
She grew up in Anna, and, when approximately 12 years old, moved with her family to Flint, Michigan, where her father worked in an auto factory to support the family. She worked during her years while in school as a cashier at the local movie house and theater, graduating at age 18 from Flint Central High School.
After high school, she worked as an office receptionist and secretary, dreaming about flying as a stewardess and traveling the country. At that time, to be a stewardess, the requirement was first to be 20 years of age and, second, a nurse, as most people got ill in the turbulence of early-aviation, low-level flying. Rules were subsequently changed, dropping the nurse qualification, and, when Mary Louise turned 20, she applied and was hired to fly as a stewardess for Pennsylvania Central Airlines, a forerunner to United Airlines. Several years later, she applied for and was hired by Chicago and Southern Airlines, which later merged with Delta Airlines. It was there that she met and subsequently married in New Orleans in 1945 to John von Zedtwitz, a pilot for Chicago and Southern Airlines. She was blessed with two children and raised them there.
In 2000, after 57 years in New Orleans and after her husband's death, she relocated to Gainesville, Florida, to the Village to enjoy a quiet, peaceful life making new friends and acquaintances. After 11 years in Florida, it was time to relocate and she moved to Kerrville, Texas, to be closer to and receive care from her daughter, Roxanne. She lived at Harper House and then at the Villagio until her passing. She was a lifelong member of Gentilly Presbyterian Church in New Orleans and a respected member of the early Delta Airlines family.
She was spirited as ever and never lost the opportunity to travel. Early on, while working as a stewardess, she met and had a chance to speak with top government officials, presidents, CEOs of large corporations, movie and film stars and high-ranking officers of the military. One that she remembers well was Eddie Rickenbacker, the world-famous aviation pioneer, and another was Medal of Honor winner Sgt. Jake Lindsey and his wife, Beverly during the war. "I shall never forget my interesting life as a stewardess, meeting and greeting so many celebrities and prominent people during those years," she said.
Mary Louise loved to visit family, friends and church members. She loved to play cards, board games or go bowling and dancing. Golf was a special event in her early married life. She traveled all over the world with her husband and enjoyed life immensely. The USA, Europe, Africa and Asia were places that she extensively visited. Her favorite destination, though, was Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Survivors include her daughter, Roxanne von Zedtwitz Case (Darrel) of Kerrville, Texas; son, Capt. John von Zedtwitz (Peggy) of Las Vegas; three grandchildren, Hans von Zedtwitz, Christina von Zedtwitz, Leigh (Ryan) and Elizabeth von Zedtwitz Smith (Mathew); and two great-grandchildren, Collin Hans Smith and Logan Pierce Leigh.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, John von Zedtwitz in October, 1996.
Mary Louise was a unique individual, friend, sister, daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be truly missed by all and returns to Anna to be placed next to her mother, father and husband in Anna City Cemetery.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Anna City Cemetery with the Rev. Jonathan Whitley officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.
Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.
To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com
Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL) - Tuesday,
December 8, 2015
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