Mary A. Carpenter, 91, of Moline, formerly of Andalusia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf on Tuesday May 20, 2014.Mary Ann Pedersen and her twin sister, Margaret Lila were born in Moline, Illinois, to Oluf Daniel "O.D." Pedersen and Mary Ann (Nielson) on March 8, 1923.

The Pedersens and their first born son, immigrated to American from Denmark. They owned and operated Pedersen's Meats on 16th Street in Moline. This was Mary's first job. Mary later worked at Bituminous Insurance. She retired in 1957.

Mary was joined in marriage with Roy E. Carpenter on July 1st, 1956. In 1957, Mary became a fulltime homemaker when she and Roy moved to a small acreage in Andalusia where they raised their daughters, Nancy (Larry) Stimson, of Davenport, Lisa (Bill) Elliott, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Carol (Stuart) Ehlert, of Coal Valley, Illinois.

Mary enjoyed sunshine, fresh air, writing letters, all flowers and had a special touch with her African Violets. Mary won a third place trophy when bowling with the Andalusia P.C. Always busy, Mom taught us that there was joy in everyday tasks. In 1985, Roy joined Mary in retirement.

Soon Mary and Roy welcomed 4 grandchildren, Hannah Simpson, Moline, Illinois, Sarah (Lee) Zeglin, Rock Island, Illinois, Jordan Ehlert, Chicago, Illinois, and Aubrey (Brad) Koenig, Crestwood, Kentucky.

The days were filled with camping trips in their motor home, tending to their garden and flowers, word search puzzles, socializing and card playing with friends and family.

The birth of three great-grandchildren has been a special blessing. Lucy and Carson Koenig, Crestwood, Kentucky, and Lincoln Zeglin, Rock Island, Illinois.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E. 4th Ave., Milan, Illinois. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

During her lifetime Mary was saddened by the loss of her parents, both her sisters, Dorothy and Margaret, and also her brothers, Orla and Dann.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association.