Mary Plant Hanlin Caley
Published 10:27 pm Monday, October 4, 2010
Mary Plant Hanlin Caley, 98 of Montevallo passed away peacefully October 2, 2010. Born in Selma, AL December 25, 1911 to Roland Cooper and Georgia Plant Hanlin,
she was educated in Selma, AL, graduated high school from Dallas County High then Alabama College in 1932 with degrees in History and English. She taught History and
Geography for two years. Her master’s degree studies in History at The University of Alabama were interrupted when she eloped to California to marry Marshal S. Caley in
1934. Caley had graduated from Auburn University’s first class of aeronautical engineers in 1933 and was working with Boeing School in Tracy, California. He joined fledging United Air Lines in October, 1935 as an aeronautical engineer.
After his two tours of duty in Europe during World War II, they moved their family as United Air Lines grew from operating hub to larger operating hubs: Cheyenne, Wyoming; San Francisco’s Bay Area; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Chicago, Illinois and then back to the South San Francisco area before retiring to Aurora, CO and
Montevallo, AL.
When Mary Plant and Marshal were not traveling on business or with friends, they played brilliant bridge. She continued her bridge playing until she was 93 and read voraciously until she passed on.
Her interests in politics and sports were keen until her end. Both Mary Plant and Marshal were active and supportive members of The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and were elders at different times in various locales. Mrs. Caley was predeceased by her
mother and father; her beloved husband of 62 years; and her eldest son, Marshal Hanlin Caley, MD, PhD. Survivors include her dear sister-in-law Mabel Caley Kelley
Carlton (Rev. Arthur) and brother-in-law Albert Francis “Sonny” Caley, Jr. (Mae) all of
Marion Junction, Alabama; Children: Dr. Anne Caley Hamilton (Dr. John) of Brierfield, AL; Alan Francis Caley (Karen) of Aurora, CO and Barbara Sherman Caley,
widow of son Marshal, Denver, CO; Grandchildren: Shaun Caley Regen, Los Angeles, CA; Sarah Caley Abeyta, Erin Caley and Megan Caley all of Aurora, CO; and Elizabeth Caley Hamilton of Huntsville, AL. Great-grandchildren: Chad and Jenna Abeyta and Kyah and Jayah Caley all of Aurora, CO; Dear nephews, nieces and cousins.
The family expresses deepest thanks and love to all of the skilled and loving caregivers at Knowlwood Assisted Living in Montevallo, AL and to special friends at
Family Comfort Hospice and Angel Care of Alabaster.
A private graveside service will be held at the New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, AL at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 4, 2010 with Rev. Wendy Hare and Rev. Arthur Carl-
ton officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The R.C. Hanlin-Caley Scholarship for the Hearing Impaired at The University of Montevallo, University Advancement, Station 6220, Montevallo, AL 35115 or to the Montevallo Presbyterian Church.
Rockco Funeral Home directing. www.rockcofuneralhomes.com