On Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, Mary Elizabeth (Shaw) Bosdell, 69, of Gloucester, was released from her earthly body and soared to the heavens. 

Elizabeth was born on Feb. 19, 1942 in Augusta, Ga., to Frank and Mary Shaw. After graduating from high school in Augusta, she married the love of her life, Charles Joseph Bosdell, on Jan. 22, 1959 in Mobile, Ala.

Charles’s career in the Coast Guard took them all over the eastern half of the U.S. for the next 39 years. Together they raised three children. They had resided in Gloucester since 1984. 

Elizabeth had a strong faith which she passed on to her family. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she was very active in the ladies Sunday School Bible class, as well as the Benevolence Committee and various other activities.

She greatly enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafts, traveling and visiting friends and family. She especially loved it when she was able to visit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Charles Joseph Bosdell; brother, Buddy Ulmer; son, Wayne (Katherine) Bosdell, and daughters, Teresa (Chris) Stevenson and Debra (Richard) Whitty.

Elizabeth is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Emily) Bosdell, Nicole (Don) Strabbing, Kayle Stevenson, Robert Stevenson, Benjamin Whitty, Samuel Whitty and Nathan Whitty, as well as three great-grandchildren, Madelyn Bosdell, Lucas Bosdell and Megan Strabbing.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda (Johnny) Seagrove.

Visitation was Saturday, Jan. 21, from 4-5:30 p.m. at Andrews Funeral Home, 7192 Main Street in Gloucester.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 10487 Harcum Road in Gloucester. Burial was at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church or The Gideons International.