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MARI C.FIELDING,
M.D. - 59 -
LAKELAND - Mari
Fielding passed away at her home on Saturday, August 10, 2013 of heart
failure. Mari was born in Lakeland, Florida July 7, 1954.
Following graduation from Lakeland High School in 1972 she
attended the University of Southern Mississippi on a music scholarship.
She was a member of the Golden Eagles marching band where she played
the coronet. She was also on the varsity tennis team. She received her
Bachelors of Science and Masters in Athletic Administration and
Coaching in 1978. She was a teacher and Athletic Director at
Hattiesburg Preparatory School focusing on tennis and other sports. It
was then that she made a decision to attend medical school. While
teaching and coaching she took the prerequisites for medical school.
She attended the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson,
Mississippi where she received her Medical Degree in 1990, She then
completed her surgical internship and three years of general surgery in
Jackson. At that time she moved back to Lakeland to be closer to her
family.
In Lakeland she
practiced Geriatric medicine. She continued her love for sports and
coaching. She coached numerous soccer teams for her niece and nephews.
Mari continued coaching soccer at Lakeland Senior High School.
She began the 2002-2003 season as assistant varsity soccer coach and as
the team physician until 2009. She was the boys varsity tennis coach at
Lakeland High School from 2007 to 2012. Because of vision problems she
was not able to coach, but continued as an advisor. Mari was passionate
about four things: her niece and nephews, her dogs, Notre Dame Football
and Lakeland High School Tennis.
She was preceded
in death by her parents, C.W. and Sara Fielding and her twin
sister Vermelle "Melle" Fielding.
She is survived by
sister Martha Fielding Richards, her brother Charles Lamar Fielding,
brother in law Dr. Harley Mercer Richards, niece Morgan Elizabeth
Richards and nephews Harley Mercer Richards II and Fielding Mercer
Richards. Visitation will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel Tribute
Center, Thursday, August 15th. In lieu of flowers please make donations
to the Lakeland Senior High School Tennis Team, 726 Hollingsworth Road,
Lakeland, Florida 33801, where a fund will be established in her
name. - Ledger, Wed., Aug. 14, 2013
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