Marietta Payne Allmond, daughter of John Howard Payne and Marietta McGregor Payne passed away in Seguin, Texas on June 8th, 2023. Marietta was born on July 25, 1939, in San Francisco, California where her father served in the Army Air Corps. John died a hero serving his country in the Allied Campaign in Italy. During the war, Mari and her mother returned to her mother's home in Austin where Mari attended school until her high school years. She graduated from the Hockaday School in Dallas in 1957. Mari continued her education at the University of Texas in Austin where she majored in English and earned secondary teacher certification. While at the university, Marietta participated in various campus organizations, was named a Cactus Goodfellow, and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

In 1963, she married her college sweetheart, Ted Allmond. They made their home in Galveston where Ted practiced law. Over the years they raised two daughters and entertained three grandchildren in their Galveston home.

Mari began her teaching career working with special needs children in Austin, Texas. She continued her career teaching for three years at Ball High School in Galveston where she taught a variety of English classes. The majority of her tenure was at Trinity Episcopal School in Galveston where she taught various grade levels and for a time served as Dean of Students.

Mari once wrote:

"I also had the unforgettable experience of being associated with Trinity Episcopal School when Budgie Holloman was head of school. One day she told me I would love teaching 4th grade. I told her she was crazy – that I was a high school English teacher. And of course, in the end, Budgie had her way. Now I can say I have taught fourth through twelfth grade; and for most of that time, I was entertained by Budgie's wit and informed by her knowledge."

In addition to her teaching commitments, Mari was a member of the Junior League of Galveston County and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she served a term on the Vestry.

Mari and Ted were married for forty-three years. After he passed away in 2006, Mari moved to Seguin, Texas to be near family. While in Seguin, she especially enjoyed her association with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and was an active participant in the Bible study group there. She also was a member of the Seguin Shakespeare Club, the Lazy Daisy Garden Club, and the Thursday Book Club.

Mari married Mike Stoffel in June 2010. They enjoyed their mutual interests in duplicate bridge, long road trips, lively discussions on current events, and simply keeping each other company. Each considered the union a late-in-life blessing. Mike passed away in 2021.

Survivors include her daughters: Sarah Woolsey (Alex) of Arvada, Colorado, and Molly Allmond of Galveston, Texas; grandchildren Elizabeth Shimizu (Aki) of Tokyo, Japan; Jennifer McGregor of Arvada, and Ted Woolsey (Monique) of New Braunfels, Texas; and great-grandchildren Lucy and Tully Duckworth of Arvada. She is also survived by cousin, Rosetta Fatherree and husband, Prentiss, of Houston, Texas.

There will be a private interment at Austin Memorial Park in Austin on Thursday, June 15th, 2023. A public memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Seguin on Friday, June 16th, 2023 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers: Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal School, 720 Tremont, Galveston, TX 77550; or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 201 E. Nolte Street, Seguin, TX 77550