Mary Chenault Hershey, formerly of Richmond, died May 19, 2014 1n Sarasota Florida Memorial Hospital after a massive stroke. Mary Louise Chenault was born in Chicago ILL. Feb.24, 1913. She moved two years later to Richmond, the hometown of her parents Arthur R and Louise L(hug) Chenault. After graduation from Richmond High, she graduated from Christian College in Columbia. She then earned the A.B.degree from the University of Missouri in 1934. After college, she worked for a time in West Plains and in Moberly. She married Auguste Cazalet Hershey July 5, 1937, in Richmond. After marriage, she moved to Baton Rouge La, and then to Illinois.

She lived in Alton ILL. from 1945 until 1978 when she and Auguste moved to Richmond. She was active until a month ago, a member of First presbyterian Church Sarasota, where she attended Easter Services on 4-20-14. She drove her car until she was 98. She gave her last party in December 2013. She danced at her 100th birthday. She was the ultimate traveler, taking major trips almost every year since 1970. Within the past two years, she vacationed in France. Over her lifetime she visited six continents, untold countries where it is not safe to travel today, as well as almost every state in the USA. She was a proponent of education, and for many years was active in the league of Women Voters, the AAUW, PEO and other organizations She was President of the League of Women Voters and the AAUW in Alton. She played bridge up to the age of 100. She was the first women ever elected to the Alton IL Board of Education. Then she was appointed to the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, whose job it was to supervise all state universities and help the Govenor and Legislature allocate funds. She served more that 12 years on this board, beginning in 1961. Later she received the distinguished Service Award from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at the Spring Commencement. She was also active in business.

Years after the death of Auguste, she moved to Sarasota, Florida.

She is survived by her two children; Harry C. Hershey of Worthington, Ohio and Judith H. Melly of Sarasota; five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.
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Mary Chenault Hershey died May 19, 2014 at Sarasota FL Memorial Hospital after a massive stroke.

Mary Louise Chenault was born in Chicago, IL Feb. 24, 1913. She moved two years later to Richmond, MO, the hometown of her parents Arthur R. and Louise L. (Hughes) Chenault. After graduation from Richmond High, she graduated from Christian College in Columbia, MO. She then earned the A.B. degree from the University of Missouri in 1934. After college, she worked for a time in West Plains and in Moberly, MO. She married Auguste Cazalet Hershey of Taylorville on July 5, 1937. After marriage, she lived first in Baton Rouge, LA and then in Illinois.

Mary's husband (Auguste Cazalet Hershey) was born and raised in Taylorville. He was the son of Harry B. Hershey of Taylorville and Julia Leah Stapleton of Assumption, IL. For all but two years of their life, Harry and Leah Hershey lived in Taylorville. Auguste's brother Richard G. Hershey practiced law in Taylorville from the time of his graduation until retirement. Timothy Stapleton Hershey is the son of Richard and Charlotte Rueger Hershey and maintains a house in Taylorville. Timothy's son Richard Arch Hershey and his wife Connie live in Owaneco, IL. The daughter of Richard and Charlotte Hershey is Carol Hershey Periard. Carol's husband Ronald Periard was an attorney in Taylorville for many years. Hershey Towers in Taylorville was named for Harry B. Hershey, who was a justice in the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois for 16 years, including a term as Chief Justice. The parents of Harry B. Hershey were Frank Hershey and Anna Gongwer Hershey, both natives of Mifflin is Ashland County, Ohio, and they also are buried in the Taylorville Cemetery.

Mary Hershey lived in Alton, IL from 1945 until 1978 when she and Auguste moved to Richmond, MO. She was active until a month ago, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, where she attended Easter Services on 4-20-14. She drove her own car up to the age of 98. She gave her last party in December 2013. She danced at the party for her 100th birthday. She was the ultimate traveler, taking major trips almost every year since 1970. Within the past two years, she vacationed in France and in Mississippi and Louisiana. Over her lifetime, she visited six continents, untold countries where it is not safe to travel today, as well as almost every state in the USA. She was a great proponent of education, and for many years was active in the League of Women Voters, the AAUW, PEO, and other organizations. She was President of the League of Women Voters and the AAUW in Alton. She played bridge up to the age of 100. She was the first woman ever elected to the Alton, IL Board of Education. Then she was appointed to the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, whose job it was to supervise all state universities and help the Governor and Legislature allocate funds among all. She served more than 12 years on this board, beginning in 1961. Later, she received the Distinguished Service Award from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at the Spring Commencement. She was also active in business.

Years after the death of Auguste, she moved to Sarasota.

She is survived by her two children: Harry C. Hershey of Worthington, OH and Judith H. Melly of Sarasota. She has five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were May 30 in Sarasota at First Presbyterian Church and June 13 in Richmond at the Methodist Church. Ashes will be buried in the Taylorville Cemetery.