Mary Dabney Webster

Mary Dabney Webster, affectionately known as “Nana,” passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, in Dublin, Ohio at the age of 85. Born on June 10, 1941, in Richmond, Virginia, Mary Dabney was the daughter of Willard Thomas and Patsy Pitts Henderson. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where she attended Thomas Jefferson High School, graduating in 1959. She attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, graduating in 1963. It was in Winston-Salem that she met the love of her life, Daniel “Danny” Norton Webster. They married on July 18, 1964, beginning a loving partnership that spanned more than six decades. After their marriage, Mary Dabney and Danny made their home in Milford, Delaware, where Danny joined his family’s business, and they built a beautiful life. It was there they welcomed their two children, Norton and Mary Landon. They spent summers at the family’s beach cottage, creating treasured memories that would last a lifetime. They were also part of a close-knit group with five other couples, who called themselves the “Dirty Dozen.” Together, they shared decades of dinners, parties, and countless adventures, forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. Mary Dabney devoted 29 years to teaching elementary school, where she had a remarkable gift for nurturing young minds. Her patience, kindness, and unwavering belief in her students left a lasting impression on countless children and their families. After raising their family in Delaware, Mary Dabney and Danny retired in Mathews, Virginia. This new chapter brought them the beauty and peace of the water and the joy of being reunited with Mary Dabney’s sister, Patricia Williams, and her husband, Harvey Lee. The close-knit community of Mathews quickly became a treasured part of their lives. Life in Mathews centered around family gatherings, especially during summers and weekends when the grandchildren visited. Mary Dabney’s home was full of activity and laughter, and she could most often be found in the kitchen, preparing family meals or sitting with grandchildren nearby, fully present in the moment. Mary Dabney had a wonderful sense of humor, an adventurous spirit, and never needed convincing to accept an invitation. Known simply as “Nana” to her grandchildren, she embraced her role as grandmother, faithfully spending several weeks with each family after the birth of a grandchild, caring for the baby while giving new parents the gift of rest. With Nana, there were no rules, including ice cream for breakfast. Every visit was filled with laughter, fun, and the feeling that anything was possible. Mary Dabney became an active member of Kingston Parish Episcopal Church in Mathews and was a devoted member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter BP, where she formed lifelong friendships and found joy in serving others. The Mathews community became a place of deep relationships, steadfast traditions, and cherished memories. Mary Dabney had a timeless sense of style and southern grace. She was always impeccably dressed and was rarely, if ever, without her signature lipstick. If you were lucky enough to spend an evening with her, it included lively conversation, plenty of laughter, and a glass of bourbon in hand. Mary Dabney was preceded in death by her parents, Willard Henderson and Patsy Henderson, her brother-in law, Harvey Lee Williams, and her beloved grandson, Will Denny. She is survived by her husband Danny Webster, her children Norton (Christy) Webster and Mary Landon (Matt) Pollak, her beloved grandchildren, her sister Patricia Williams, and extended family members and dear friends. A Celebration of Mary Dabney’s life will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Friendship Village in Dublin, Ohio. An additional service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Kingston Parish Episcopal Church in Mathews, Virginia. Those details will be forthcoming. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and hospice team at National Church Residences Central Hospice, who lovingly cared for Mary Dabney during her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: National Church Residences Foundation, 5475 Rings Road, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017 or online at: https://www.nationalchurchresidences.org/foundation/. .

Mary Dabney Webster

June 10, 1941 - July 25, 2026