Mrs. Mary Walden, 98, of Fernandina Beach and formerly of Jacksonville passed away Saturday February 3, 2018 at her home.

Born in Canton, Illinois, she was a daughter of the late Robert B. and Helen Herman Cowan.

She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Walter D. �Duke� Walden in 2010. Prior to their marriage, she attended Armstrong College in Savannah, Georgia. It was there she met �Duke�. After marriage she and her husband made their home in Jacksonville, beginning in 1948. In 1997, Mary and Duke moved to Hilton Head for 5 years and then returned to Fernandina Beach where they resided with all their children.

Mrs. Walden was a kind and gentle spirit who loved nature, and enjoyed reading and painting. A member of Memorial United Methodist Church, her love of reading was often exampled by her spending so much time with the Psalms and Proverbs. She was a wonderful friend to all who knew her. She will be remembered as a warm and caring wife, mother and grandmother by all her family.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two daughters, Martha Strickland and Rosie Booth.

Mrs. Walden�s surviving family includes two children, Jeanne Prudot and Carlton Walden, both of Fernandina Beach; eight grandchildren, Christie Strickland, Paula Evers, Darren Strickland, Carrie Strickland, Greg Mazza, Gina Sawyer, Lisa Mazza-Mulhall, Jason Booth and eight great-grandchildren as well as other extended family members.

Funeral services for Mrs. Walden will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 12:00 PM at Memorial United Methodist Church with Reverend Drew Weseman officiating.

Her family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest beside her husband and daughter, Rosie, at Bosque Bello Cemetery.