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'Real Lady' Was Lovely, Gracious And Kind

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By MIKE SALINERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

TAMPA - Mary Ellen Cook Germany, known for decades in South Tampa as a tireless volunteer and gracious hostess, died Friday at age 82.

Germany suffered a stroke in her sleep Tuesday night, said her daughter, Jan Gruetzmacher.

Germany was a Tampa native who attended Gorrie Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School and Plant High School. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Va. The downtown library is named after her husband, John Germany Sr.

Friends and family remember Germany for her energy, charm and devotion to her family and the community.

"She was a vivacious person, interested and interesting," said John Arthur Jones, John Germany's law partner since 1966. "She was a real lady."

Gruetzmacher called her mother the "quintessential Southern lady" and a "superwoman who could do everything."

"She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and a fabulous hostess and entertainer who loved to have people to dinner," Gruetzmacher said.

Germany was well-known in Tampa for her involvement in a lengthy list of groups and causes.

She was a longtime volunteer for The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary; the Chiselers, a support group for the University of Tampa; Junior League of Tampa; and Meals on Wheels. After her granddaughter became ill with cancer, Germany began volunteering for the Children's Cancer Center. She was also active at St. John's Episcopal Church.

"She's given her life to this community and her children and grandchildren," Gruetzmacher said. "We are very grateful."

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, lawyer John Germany Sr., who helped found the prestigious Holland & Knight law firm.

Other survivors include three daughters, Sue Ellen Lucas of Birmingham, Ala., Lindsey Robbins and Jan Gruetzmacher, both of Tampa; one son, John Germany Jr. of Jacksonville; and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 902 S. Orleans Ave. Visitation will be one hour before the service in the parish hall.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at msalinero@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-8303.

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