Mrs. Symington of Wilmington, North Carolina was born the daughter of the late Navy Captain Arthur MacArthur, who died in 1923, was a World War I recipient of the Navy Cross; and Mary McCalla MacArthur, the daughter of a Navy rear admiral; and the niece of General Douglas MacArthur. She grew up in Washington, D.C. and graduated in 1931 from The Holton-Arms School and was a member of the field hockey team for four years. She attended the Yale University Divinity School. She served as President of both the Alumnae Board and the Board of Trustees at The Holton-Arms School and was a Trustee Emeriti. She was a life long member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America with membership in the Washington, D. C. and the North Carolina chapters. She had a long career as a member of the Intergroup staff at the A.A. General Services office in New York City. Through correspondence she offered guidance to many all over the world and in the 1970's continued in alcohol abuse prevention at the National Center for Alcohol Education in Roslyn, Virginia. During her career she traveled extensively to lead and speak on alcoholism throughout the U.S. She retired in 1978 and moved to Wilmington, NC in 1994. As one of the oldest members of St. Andrews-on-the Sound, she treasured and shared her spiritual life and faith with her family and many friends. She served as a Stephens Minister in the Episcopal Church and was a member of The International Order of St. Luke the Physician, a worldwide healing ministry. She had a special relationship with many as a mentor and friend; as well as her family, and always shared and advised from her heart. Her family was the center of her life and she loved each one in her special way. She was the shining example of finding the positive in every situation and her special "silent laugh" was a gift that she shared with many. As an avid reader and a reflection of her political upbringing she was well versed in world news, history, politics, sports and life in general. She never missed a beat! She was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, Thomas Randolph Symington, in 1972; and brothers, Arthur MacArthur, Malcolm MacArthur, Bowman MacArthur, Douglas MacArthur II, and her son-in-law William Souder, Sr. Survivors include her daughter, Ann Souder; two grandchildren, William Souder, Jr., and Elizabeth Souder; two nieces, Laura MacArthur; Beatrice Thenault and husband Georges and; two step-daughters, Sally Henderson and husband Richard; and Katherine Zouck; and five step grandchildren, Sarah Cramer, Richard Henderson, Nina Waite, Peter Zouck and Thomas Zouck. Mrs. Symington died at age 96 at home.