Maude Sawyer Obituary

Maude Mershon Sawyer was born on May 3, 1949 in DeFuniak Springs, FL to parents Ralph (“Shine”) and Nell Sawyer. She lived an incredibly full and adventure-filled life before she passed away at age 76 on July 16, 2025 at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

Maude graduated from Walton High School, went on to Austin College in Sherman, TX, and then attended graduate school in New York. When living in DeFuniak, she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. Maude’s work included working on computer systems at Lotus, G.E. Library of Science, AT&T, and serving in the Peace Corps. In her working years, she was thrilled to have called many other places home - Sherman, Texas, Brazil, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, and California - before settling in Pensacola, FL to be near her mother. She was a devoted daughter and embraced the move back to Florida to spend time with and take an active role in taking care of her mother. One of her pleasures in Pensacola was her membership in the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Guild where she served as Reservation Chair.

Achieving greatness in academics and work was not Maude’s only talent. Her musical ability was a joy to all with whom she shared it, and memories of her piano playing will be treasured by many. She also loved to play bridge and being crowned champion was typically how her games ended. Another gift she possessed was having a perfect balance between making people smile and laugh and maintaining justice and trust. Never interested in gossip, Maude was a loving, kind, and faithful friend. While she was willing to engage in serious conversations and offer valuable help and encouragement through difficult times, she also never missed the opportunity for good, honest fun to happen when possible. Years passing between visits was never an issue with Maude - ‘once a friend, always a friend’ was how she embraced lifelong friendships.

Friends complimentarily labeled her an iconoclast. If an object was good enough to fulfill its purpose, Maude did not find it necessary to waste money on anything new. She never felt bound by the norm, and she intentionally lived to serve others rather than to let herself be served. Her southern accent is a memory that will be sweetly treasured as some friends call it “salve for a frantic world.” The words she shared and the accent with which she shared them was a gift to many.

She is survived by cousins: Elizabeth Woolf, Susan Woolf, Phyllis Coleman McQueen, James P. McQueen, and Cathy Coleman Weldon, friends: Teresa Wheat Macrae, Michelle Kring Smith, and Richard Boyum, and friends who were also caregivers: Sandee Houston and Susan (Sooz) Elizabeth Cobb.

Maude leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love and genuine selflessness. She confidently stood strong in the face of every challenge life gave her, and she perpetually thought of everyone else before herself. Her unrivaled independence, heartfelt compassion, and reliable counsel were admired by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Maude’s honor to the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Guild or to WSRE, Public Broadcasting Service.

A private family service will be held.