Soldiers' Angels Mourns Aunt Mary

Mary Irvin Roun, 1905 - 2007

It is with great sadness that Soldiers' Angels announces the passing of its dearest and oldest member, Aunt Mary. Mary Irvin Roun was born on April 13, 1905 in Turnersville, NJ and died peacefully in her sleep on February 8,2007.

Mary Jo Stamper, Aunt Mary's great-nice, and the rest of the family had been working on an "Aunt Mary Movie" for her upcoming 102nd birthday party. According to Mary Jo, "we feel it is even more appropriate now to share these pictures/music with all the people that loved her. One of the most endearing characteristics of Aunt Mary was how appreciative she always was, for even the smallest thing you did for her. She loved to say..."wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!" Hence, the music in the video... "

Please take a moment to view the video here.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, February 12, 2007 from 9:00-10:00am

COSTANTINO FUNERAL HOME
231 W. WHITE HORSE PIKE
BERLIN, NJ 08009

You may view Aunt Mary's memorial photo scrapbook online here.

Since supporting "her soldiers" was so important to Aunt Mary, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Soldiers Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104


Memories from Aunt Mary's 101st Birthday party last year.


Aunt Mary heading up the "Bodacious Box Brigade", filling care packages for the troops on her 101st brithday last year. Guests were asked to bring items for the packages instead of gifts.

Aunt Mary with some of the boxes for "her" troops all over the world.

Sailors Tim Reagan and Robbie Fox sending birthday greetings from aboard the USS Ronald Reagan.

Soldiers' Angel Mary Jo with her great-aunt Mary, "a treasure and a true blessing to all of us".


The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells in the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops... and yet it echoes on in sweet refrain...
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

Godspeed, Aunt Mary.

* * *

Update, 14 Feb 2007

From Mary Jo:

"Her funeral was a true honor to her sweet nature and generosity; her family was awarded two different military service medals from a Lt. Col. from the USMC who spoke of her dedication to supporting our troops. He also read a letter that we had received just recently from one of the units we supported, which I wanted to share with you."

The Stamper family and Aunt Mary:

Thank you for your outstanding support to the Marines of First Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) while we have been forward deployed to the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

Since Aunt Mary's birthday in April you have been so very supportive of us and the care you have for us was evident through all the time you took to send countless numbers of care packages. During the holidays when a long deployment can be particularly difficult to be away from home and families you brought a touch of home to us.

I cannot thank you enough for your efforts to keep us all going strong out here. You all are greatly appreciated by myself and Marines here at I MEF Camp Fallujah for bringing a little "moto" into our lives. Thank you very much.

With all my appreciation and respect, Semper Fi

MSgt. Bill Canfield

"This letter was accompanied with a Challenge Coin from Camp Fallujah - what a testament to Aunt Mary's support of "her soldiers".

So Angels, once again you can pat yourselves on the back and say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! I'm sure it won't be long before I'm back standing in line at the post office with my care packages...

With much love and admiration for ALL you do,

Mary Jo Stamper "