Obituary for Mary Lee Van Arsdall
Mary Lee Van Arsdall, 77, died May 7, 2023 in Audubon Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Aaron and Thelma Goatley Van Arsdall of Springfield, Kentucky. She is survived by her brother, John Aaron Van Arsdall II, M.D., and his wife, Linda; a niece, Catherine Van Arsdall; and a nephew, Jack Van Arsdall. Left to cherish her memory is Sue Lorch, her life partner of 28 years.
Mary Lee was a 1963 graduate of Springfield High School. She attended the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1968 with a degree in mechanical engineering. She also did her graduate work there. Mary Lee began her career with Watkins and Associates, later moving to IBM and Lexmark. She held seven patents.
An accomplished trap shooter, Mary Lee won many awards, trophies, and titles. She was named Champion of Champions in 1983 by the American Trap Shooting Association, the first of her twelve Grand American trophies. In August 2010, she was inducted into the American Trap Shooting Association Hall of Fame.
Mary Lee had a deep love for British sports cars and owned several. She was a proud member of the Bluegrass Austin Healey Club of Louisville, and her “baby” was the the silver blue Austin Healey BJ8 Mark lll, which she purchased in 1969. Extremely knowledgeable and highly skilled, she did all her own restoration work, and her meticulously restored cars won numerous awards.
Mary Lee will be greatly missed by the many people who knew and loved her.
Highlands Funeral Home was entrusted with her care. Mary Lee chose cremation. Her Memorial Service will be on Monday, May 15 at 2:00 at the funeral home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Visitation will begin at 11:00 until time of service. Inurnment will be in Springfield, Kentucky, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kentucky Humane Society are greatly appreciated.
Mary Lee was a 1963 graduate of Springfield High School. She attended the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1968 with a degree in mechanical engineering. She also did her graduate work there. Mary Lee began her career with Watkins and Associates, later moving to IBM and Lexmark. She held seven patents.
An accomplished trap shooter, Mary Lee won many awards, trophies, and titles. She was named Champion of Champions in 1983 by the American Trap Shooting Association, the first of her twelve Grand American trophies. In August 2010, she was inducted into the American Trap Shooting Association Hall of Fame.
Mary Lee had a deep love for British sports cars and owned several. She was a proud member of the Bluegrass Austin Healey Club of Louisville, and her “baby” was the the silver blue Austin Healey BJ8 Mark lll, which she purchased in 1969. Extremely knowledgeable and highly skilled, she did all her own restoration work, and her meticulously restored cars won numerous awards.
Mary Lee will be greatly missed by the many people who knew and loved her.
Highlands Funeral Home was entrusted with her care. Mary Lee chose cremation. Her Memorial Service will be on Monday, May 15 at 2:00 at the funeral home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Visitation will begin at 11:00 until time of service. Inurnment will be in Springfield, Kentucky, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kentucky Humane Society are greatly appreciated.