Mary Nation

Mary Elizabeth Nation, age 53 of Mt. Vernon, IN died suddenly January 18, 2009 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. She was born September 23, 1955 at Valpraiso, IN, the daughter of Joseph P. and Margery E. (Swift) Lamonica.



Mary was an administrative assistant in the Alexandrian Public Library in Mt. Vernon, IN for over 20 years. An active member of her community, Mary served as a board member for the Posey County chapter of the American Red Cross and was a dedicated volunteer for the Posey County United Way. She also organized support for the Mt. Vernon Homeless Shelter. In 2007 she was elected to a three year term as a national representative to the American Library Association’s library support staff board. She also served as liaison between the Alexandrian Public Library and many community groups in Mt. Vernon, Black Township and Posey County. Before her career as a library administrator, she was a licensed practical nurse at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, IL, and at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. Mary was also a gifted seamstress, teaching quilting classes and producing dozens of quilts to support local charities and fundraising projects.


Mary grew up in the Chicago suburb of Lombard, IL, attending Sacred Heart School and graduating from Benet Academy in Lisle, IL in 1972. She earned an associates degree in nursing from Triton College in River Grove, IL in 1974.


Family was a big part of Mary’s life, including her daughter and husband, Kristi and Brandon Westerfield of Evansville; their children, Emma M. and Bradon S. Westerfield, Brandon’s son, Samuel C. Westerfield; her former husband Donald E. Nation of Mt. Vernon, IN. Mary is also survived by her mother, Margery E. Lamonica of Lombard, IL; one sister, Kathleen L. Krochock of Wheaton, IL; and four brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph P. Lamonica, Jr. of Bellevue, WA, John M. and Cathy Lamonica of Arlington, TX, Thomas A. and Claire Lamonica of Normal, IL and James P. and Jean Lamonica of El Paso, TX. Also surviving are eleven nieces and nephews, and three great nephews.


In addition to her loving family, Mary leaves behind a host of devoted friends and professional colleagues who will remember her as a hard worker who dedicated her life to the care of and service of others.


Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Austin Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, IN, with burial in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Alexandrian Public Library, the American Red Cross or the Posey County United Way in care of the Austin Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at Austinfuneralhome.com