Mary Clay Disston

Mary Disston Mary Disston, 90 years old, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2017. She was born in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania and lived her life in Chestnut Hill, New Canaan, Connecticut and her later years in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Mary was the daughter of the late Edward Biddle Clay and the late Katherine Gossler Clay, both of Chestnut Hill. Mary enjoyed and was involved in a host of interests and hobbies. She was well known for her love of gardening and noteworthy horticultural achievements. Wherever she lived, her gardens were expansive and inviting, often the destination for Garden Club tours and receptions; she loved sharing her horticultural endeavors with others. For many years, she was a participant and a judge at the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show. She was also a strong athlete with enduring interest and skill in sailing, skiing, tennis, golf and paddle tennis. She always found time for volunteer activities and brought energy and enthusiasm to them. For many years she volunteered as a reading guide to the first grade students at her Alma Mater, Springside School (now Springside Chestnut Hill Academy), in Chestnut Hill. She volunteered at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs for several years. She served on the Boards of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and the Morris Arboretum - both in Chestnut Hill - and was on several boards at her last residence, Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a life-long love for animals, particularly her dogs of which she had dozens throughout her life. And she had a special love for the summers she spent in Maine with her dear, late husband Henry Disston. She was preceded in death by her beloved Henry and by her brother, Edward B. Clay Jr. She is survived by her sister Patricia Clay Hancock, son Robert Granville Worrell, daughter Katherine Worrell Williams, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, 6 nephews and her Step-daughter Lisa Disston Templet and her Step-sons: Henry Disston, Jr., Michael Fleming Disston and James Steelman Disston. Memorial services will be held at St. Paul's Church in Chestnut Hill on April 21st at 11:00 AM and the Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, Maine in July. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Disston's memory can be directed to the Morris Arboretum, the Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Philadelphia Flower Show or the ASPCA.