Mary L. Huntenburg, 68, of Daytona Beach, was relocated to the Garden of Heaven Wednesday, April 7, 2021 after tenaciously working to weed cancer from her body.   She germinated in Saint Petersburg, Florida, but was transplanted early to Daytona Beach where her strong roots grew deep and wide.  She was fertilized by the links in her loving family, body surfing & skim boarding in the Atlantic, competitive games of Risk & cribbage and schooled at Our Lady of Lourdes and Father Lopez.  She had a few body blows in high school:  running through a glass sliding door (before safety glass), a nasty six month bout of mononucleosis, the extinguishment of her bright light of a brother John when he was 20 and the back injury when the family was in a head-on-collision to the out-of-state funeral (no family attended John's funeral). After high school, those strong roots pressed on and spread into working in the S&L industry as it was grafted into the banking industry, stretched into FPL for several bountiful growing seasons and her final glorious re-bloom in finance at the Daytona Beach Police Department.  Those roots & her heart touched so many friends, neighbors & colleagues – some of the most formidable composting took place with her softball and bowling teammates which resulted in fear being stoked in their opponents. Mary's home was her forever home that she shared with her constant canine companions.  The furry angels got smaller over the years, starting with Misha her German Shepherd and ending with her Maltese Frankie, but their superpowers never diminished:  licking a bad day away in three licks or less, disarming you with one head tilt, demonstrating unbreakable faith, and showing what resolute love is.  The many dogs she had were each unique and she shared an unconditional pure love with them.  Her home replenished her, and her dogs provided angelic insight on how to navigate life's waters. Her home was always open with a ready beverage, a tasty meal or snack, spirited conversations, an embracing heart, and memories for tomorrow's spirited conversation.  She had a sweet heart that was complemented by a little salt & sassiness; she viewed life as mostly filled with hearty & sincere laughter and she practiced Hidden Love – humble & willing to be overlooked and support the team. She was also known to venture outside her home finding immense joy and comradeship carousing the alleys, of the bowling persuasion.  Soaking in the ambiance of smooth rolling balls releasing kinetic energy, pins jumping & crashing in a muffled scatter and a cold beer at the ready – there was good natured ribbing, life stories & shared joy at the Friday Night League.  Every game feels like a 300 when you're surrounded by good friends & have a cold beverage. She was buttressed in this battle with a formidable & caring medical team, and we are thankful for Dr. Devares, Dr. Serrano & Dr. Dibello as well as others we do not know, and their teams that allow them to continue this war against the wicked puzzling cancer.  Cancer never wins and we improve every time. She was predeceased by her Parents, Bernard & Joan Huntenburg, and by her brothers John & Gerry.  She is survived by her beloved Frankie, her sister, Martha (Richard Rempe) of Naples, FL; sister-in-law  Elizabeth "Liz" Ann Mayer Huntenburg of Chattanooga, TN; 3 nieces, Beth Rose Huntenburg of Simpsonville, SC, Theresa Marie (Andrew) Starnes of Chattanooga, TN, and Angela Elizabeth (Paul) Russell of Lake Bluff, IL; 5 grandnieces/nephews, Isaac Robertson, Hannah Robertson, Jackson Starnes, Katie Russell and Lucy Russell; dear friends John Paton (Doug Gibbs), Norm & Carla White and so many others that I do not know, but she does & you do. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Wounded Warriors, carrying out your own random act of kindness or being someone's secret Santa (and you don't have to wait until December).

A Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 6:00pm on Thursday April 22, 2021 in the Chapel at Lohman Funeral Home Daytona, 1423 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114.  A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am on Friday April 23, 2021 in Daytona Memorial Park, 1425 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114.

Condolences may be shared with the family here on our online guestbook ( www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com )