June 17, 2020 at 1:43 p.m.
Mary "Ma" Elsie Naseef, 89, Columbus
Mary "Ma" Elsie Naseef, nee Puckett, age 89, beloved wife of the late Louis, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2020 in Columbus, Indiana. Born to John and Bertie Alice (Cox) Puckett on March 8, 1931, in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, she was the fifth of eight children.
Mary grew up on the family farm in Virginia until it was sold in mid-1940s. She then moved to Mayodan, North Carolina, and eventually met Louis Naseef. They later married in 1947 and began their family in North Carolina. In the early 1950's, they moved to the north side of Chicago, Illinois where they raised their five children.
An avid gardener and seamstress, Ma was the pillar of her family, and served as a true example of love and kindness to her children and grandchildren. Notably, she worked as a waitress for over 45 years at a number of pancake houses on Chicago's north side including Ricky's (the Jewish restaurant across from Swedish Covenant Hospital) and IHOP (on Broadway and North Halsted). In 1996, years after the passing of her late husband, Mary relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with her youngest son, Anthony. Together they maintained a booth at the North Myrtle Beach Flea Market, and enjoyed hosting friends and family at their home – what Mary said were some of the happiest years of her life. Years later, after suffering the losses of sons John and Anthony, Mary moved to Columbus, Indiana in 2017 with her youngest daughter, Brenda.
Mary will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind her siblings John Puckett Jr., Elzie Puckett and Elvie (Tootsie) Craig; brother-in-law George (Sandy) Naseef; children Sadie (Robert) Husko, Joseph Naseef and Brenda Naseef; grandchildren Dale (Karen) Henry II, Michelle (Maurice) Arlos, Stephanie (Anthony Baker) Carmer, Jimmie Carmer II, Jennifer (Doug) Dresbach, Jeannette Sweet, Christina (Anthony) Mehrtens, Stacey (Mark Alvelo) Naseef, Mindy (Robert Figueroa) Naseef, John Naseef Jr., Robert (Heather) Heinz II, Joseph Naseef and Andrea Naseef; great-grandchildren Laura Kay Carmer, Ashley (Nicholas) Diehl, Anthony Naseef, Dale Henry III, Jasmine Raddi, Carsen Dresbach, David Figueroa, Roland Naseef, Lealah Carmer, Jovanni Alvelo, Maximum Dresbach, Jonathan Naseef, Josalyn Alvelo, Robert Sweet III, Mariah Figueroa, Robert Heinz III, Hailey Heinz, Isla Heinz, Joevannie Alizondo, Malea Naseef, Madeleine Heinz, Robert Figueroa, Ilan Arlos, Colin Carmer, Lillie-Rayne Mehrtens, Zoe Arlos and Gianni Figueroa; great-great-grandchildren Audrey Diehl and Lauren Diehl; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her biological family, Mary is survived by her loving stepfamily including stepdaughter Betty Jo (the late Ronald) Elliott-Davis; step grandchildren William (Phyllis) Galloway Jr., Brian (Jan) Galloway, Herbert (Kathy) Elliott II, Michael (Tonia) Galloway, Scott (Julie) Elliott, Joan (David Turpen) May and Jan (James) Elliott-Williams; step great-grandchildren Nicole (Joseph Blades) Elliott, Brianna Galloway, Katie Galloway, Connor Galloway, Vanessa (Ryan) Roof, Brittney (Alyssa) Phoenix-Elliott, Janelle (Maria) Galloway, Sarah Galloway, Cody (Taylor) Elliott, Jamie Williams, Katie Elliott, Karolyn Elliott, Grace May and Garrett Williams; and step great-great-grandchildren Darbi Galloway, Mayson Elliott, Rylan Roof, Karlee Elliott, AnnaMae Elliott, Francesca Galloway and McKenzie Roof.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Louis Naseef; her sisters Georgia May Dalton, Annie Bonton, Nova Adkins and Martha Boyd; brothers-in-law Fred Naseef, Herman Naseef, and Donald Naseef; sons John Naseef and Anthony Naseef; stepdaughter Sandra (Albert) Galloway Furst; step grandsons Steven Galloway and James Galloway; and great-grandson Dominic Naseef.
A virtual memorial service to be held Saturday, June 27 at 1 PM CT / 2 PM ET. For details, please email: [email protected]