Our mother, Mary Katherine Carothers, was born on March 4, 1938, in Fairmont, West Virginia, and passed away on May 23, 2026, in Melbourne Beach Florida. She was the beloved daughter of Edward Frances Armstrong and Avis Mona Loudin, whom she loved dearly. The lessons she learned from them guided her throughout her life.

Mary was one of nine children and shared a close bond with her siblings. She often said she had a wonderful childhood and treasured the many memories they made together. She was preceded in death by her siblings Nancy Starcher, Terry Armstrong, Beverly Vandergrift, Donald Armstrong, Junior Armstrong, David Armstrong, and Carolyn Petelin, and is survived by her sister, Marles Moon of Hawaii, and her sister-in-law, Bonnie Armstrong of West Virginia.

She married Ralph Junior Helsley shortly after high school, and they remained married for 30 years. After living briefly in West Virginia, they made their home primarily in Ohio, where they raised their family. Although she and Ralph divorced in 1986, they remained friends until his passing in 1997. She later married Donald Eugene Carothers on April 9, 2004, in Painesville, Ohio, and they remained together until his passing in 2007. Mary is survived by her children, Pamela (late John) Keeslar, Cathy Helsley, Brenda (Dan) Phillips, and Stacey (fiancé Chris Galinari) Helsley, and was preceded in death by her infant son, Ralph.

Mary worked for Parker-Hannifin Corporation from 1962 to 1998 and retired on her 60th birthday.

She was blessed with four grandchildren—Kya Keeslar, Ceylon Bonnell (Kai), Indi Keeslar (Amanda), and Brendan Phillips (Alex) and she dearly loved her sons-in-law, John Keeslar and Dan Phillips, whom she admired deeply. She also found comfort in knowing that Chris Galinari, Stacey’s boyfriend, would take good care of her.

She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, Liam and Luca Phillips and Journey and Giovani Keeslar, and the Bonnell family is eagerly awaiting a new baby in July.

Mary found great joy in her garden and in the many flowers that brightened her yard. She loved her home in Ohio and cared for it with pride and devotion. Later, while living in Florida near her daughters, she found happiness in the company of her neighbors and treasured the time they spent together visiting, celebrating, and playing games with the ladies on the street.

Celebrations of Mary’s life will be held in Ohio on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, and in Florida on her birthday in 2027. Her ashes will also be scattered in West Virginia on her parent’s grave site.

Mary will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives she touched with her love, kindness, and presence. May God bless you, Mom, and keep watch over us always.

With love, from your family and friends.

PS: Yes, mom, we put the cushions away, turned off the lights, locked the doors, pulled the shades and yes, it’s raining! And we will water the flowers tomorrow.