Mary Eleanor DiMare

Mary Eleanor DiMare had the most brilliant blue eyes and a smile that could light up the room! She went Home to be with her Lord on July 26, 2025. Born in Statesboro, Georgia on April 7, 1937 to W. O. and Allie Ethridge, Eleanor grew up as a Georgia country girl where she learned southern cooking and hospitality. As a teenager, Eleanor met the love of her life and her best friend, Vincent, on St. Augustine Beach while she was visiting her brother. They married in 1954 and began their married life in St. Augustine raising four children and instilling in them the values of serving God and hard work. Eleanor and Vincent built several of their own homes, which she designed and decorated, along with creating beautiful gardens for each. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, known as Mama Ellie. She loved cooking for her family and playing games. She was always up for a good time! In recent years, she particularly loved going out for ice cream. Eleanor’s creativity and energy were boundless. It seemed she could do anything that she set her mind to. Her love of children, butterflies, flowers, birds, the colors of purple, pink and peacock blue, contributed to the many ways she celebrated life. She was an accomplished hostess, seamstress, artist, decorator, great cook, incredible gardener and porcelain doll maker. For several years she ran a doll studio, “Dollightful Dollies” where she taught classes in making porcelain dolls. She was a member of the Garden Club and served for many years decorating for their events. She also loved decorating for Christmas and looked forward to competing in the Christmas Home Lighting contest in years past. Eleanor loved her Lord Jesus Christ and was happy to share with others her faith and joy. She was a member of Heritage Baptist Church. Her faith was very important to her and she was always involved in serving the church. Through the years she taught children’s Sunday school and sang in the choir. She and Vincent helped with many church events and hosted many church dinners at their home. She is survived by her children: Frank DiMare (Helen), Gina Maria DiMare Davis, Tammy DiMare Palmer (Michael); Grandchildren: Stephen DiMare (Mia), Frances DiMare Dailey (Spencer), Maria DiMare, David DiMare, Jacob Palmer, Sierra Palmer, Sara Davis, Anna Davis, Julia Davis Miller (Andrew); Great Grandchildren: Isla, Lattie, Teddy, Elizabeth, Dorothy and Kaden along with nieces, nephews and cousins. Eleanor was preceded in death by her daughter Melina Gail DiMare, husband Vincent, her parents, and her brother Talmadge Ethridge and his wife, Ethel. Memorial services to celebrate Mary Eleanor DiMare’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Community Bible Church 3150 U. S. 1 South, St. Augustine, Florida 32086. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Flowers or plants are welcome or donations may be made in her memory to The Gideons or Samaritans Purse. St. Johns Family Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge or arrangements.

Mary Eleanor DiMare

April 7, 1937 - July 26, 2025