Pashayan, Mary Evelyn Bland, 89, passed away on Thursday, October 16th after a 15 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born September 27,1925 in Weston, Georgia to Grover and Ruth Bland, she was orphaned by the age of four and was raised by her aunt in Teachey, N.C. After graduating from high school, she met and later married Edward Pashayan, a marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. on September 5, 1942. For twenty years they traveled around the country from post to post and had four children, all born in different states. After twenty years of military life, they settled down in Winter Park, Florida where she worked as a cashier at Brookshire Elementary School for sixteen years.

Mary was a devout Christian and a member of the Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park. She worked for many years in the church's "Shut in" visitation program and also belonged to the Gleaners Circle there. She was also a member of the Does at Elks Lodge 1079 in Orlando. She was a great lover of cats and fed the stray cats in the neighborhood for years. She loved everyone, and everyone who knew her loved her too. Her beautiful smile could light up a room.

Besides her husband Edward and her parents, Mary is predeceased by her sister, Kathryn Simmons, and her brother, Grover Bland, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Ronald) Richards, Anita Johnson, Phyllis (Danny) Sullivan, her son, Jim Pashayan, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Aloma United Methodist Church at 3045 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Fl. 32708, or to the American Cancer Society. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Aloma United Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 21st at 2PM. Her final resting place will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. May she rest in peace.