Mary Welborn Burkett, 105, died of natural causes on Wednesday morning, August 29th, 2012, in the Catherine Kasper Life Center.
A lifelong resident of Marshall County, Mary was born on August 18, 1907 and raised on that same farm in West Township. She was the daughter of Ray and Elma (Thompson) Welborn.
She graduated from the old Washington Elementary School and was in the first graduating class from Lincoln High School in 1925. An honor student, after high school she graduated from the South Bend Business College
She remembered being courted by her high school sweetheart, Floyd E. Burkett, who she married on June 28, 1930.
Mary worked for the United Telephone Company, first in the traffic department and later in the commercial office for 23 ½ years, retiring in 1969. She also worked as the secretary for Florence Riddick Boys, a state probation officer. Always busy, she worked part time in voter registration in the County Clerk’s office.
She loved to travel and the Burketts traveled a great deal, spending their winters in Texas, and, later, in Florida and many summers in Canada.
After she broke her hip in 2006, she moved to the Catherine Kasper Life Center.
“People are so good to me,” she said in a 2007 interview. “I have had a good life.”
Mary is survived by her two daughters: Joyce E. Howard of Plymouth, and Carol A. (Magoon) Blane and spouse Markham of Indianapolis. Seven grandchildren: Deborah L. (Kurt) Caudell of Bedford, IN, Susan H. (John) Wendel of Plymouth, Julie A. (Alain) Desaulniers of Ontario, Canada, Bonnie J. Helton of Indianapolis, Maggie e. (Robert Roe) Magoon of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Ryan R. Magoon and Andrew A. (Mei) Magoon of VanCouver, BC. Eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, also survive.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband: Floyd, her beloved husband of 71 years who died in 2001, and two sisters Florence Thomas and Katherine Barkey.
She was an active and devoted member of the Church of the Brethren, the Loyal Builders Class and the Ladies Aide.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan St., Plymouth.
Services for Mary will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at 11 o’clock in the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St. Pastor Ruth Yoder will officiate. Calling will continue in the church one hour prior to services.
Interment will be in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorials in Mary’s memory may be made to the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563, Catherine Kasper Life Center, P.O. Box 1 Union Road, Donaldson, IN 46513 or The Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Jeanie Martin says
Dearest Debbie,
I just saw that your grandmother passed away! I am so sorry for your loss!
Please let me know,if,there is anything that I can do.
love ya
Jeanie
Mike & Ronnie says
Maggie,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer Cooper says
Dear Maggie,
Your grandmother sounds like a truly remarkable lady. I?m very sorry for your loss.
Patricia Kuskye says
dear Joyce and Carol your mothe r has left many great memories not only for your families but, many friends. She was a very sweet lady
GOD bless you and your families.
Pat K.
Janet Grimm says
Maggie, I am sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts. Janet
Elizabeth Kindermann says
Maggie,
How blessed you are to have had such a grandmother! I will keep you and yours in prayer. Eternal rest, grant unto her oh, Lord! May Perpetual Light shine upon her, and may she rest in peace. Amen.
Beth
Patricia Hebior says
Carol
Sending our most sincere sympathy in the loss of your mother. It sounds as though she had a wonderful and full life.
Phil Milner says
When I was growing up, Floyd and Mary were like my closest aunts and uncles. They did everything together. They were fun to be around. Floyd would get excited, and Mary would straighten him out. I started missing them when I left Plymouth, and always spent happy time with them when I came home. Mary used to make me rhubarb pie, which was unequalled. I guess I don\’t know who the survivors are, but two great ones passed from the earth when they died. Mary was the last of my parents\’ old gang. I wish we were closer, and could be there to trade stories about that wonderful couple, Mary and Floyd. Phil and Marilyn Milner
Bob Orr says
Carol,
We\’re awed by the long, sweet, and rich life your mother seemed to have. I remember a kind woman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Bob and Christine Orr
Tanya Hutchinson says
Carol and family…you all are in our thoughts and hearts. We send this with much LOVE for you all and your family.
Tanya Hutchinson
Mary Ann Avery says
Debbie, Family, Joyce, and Susan,
All my thoughts are with you during your time of loss. I will be thinking of you during the upcoming difficult week. Take joy in her wonderful and long life, and use that and those wonderful memories to help you through your loss.
Mary Ann
Dawn Tesner says
Maggie, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Dawn Tesner
Randy Danielson says
Joyce, Debbie, Sue and family,
What a \’Live Wire\’ she has been in the over 40 years of great memories that I have being a part of the Burkett and Howard families. I always felt welcome in their home. In recent years I would see her nearly every time I was at the Catherine Kasper Center and she was scooting around like no one\’s business slowing down only to say Hi! She was a great lady and I\’m sure will be missed.
Jeanie Martin says
Dearest Debbie,
I just saw that your grandmother passed away! I am so sorry for your loss!
Please let me know,if,there is anything that I can do.
love ya
Jeanie
Mike & Ronnie says
Maggie,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer Cooper says
Dear Maggie,
Your grandmother sounds like a truly remarkable lady. I?m very sorry for your loss.
Patricia Kuskye says
dear Joyce and Carol your mothe r has left many great memories not only for your families but, many friends. She was a very sweet lady
GOD bless you and your families.
Pat K.
Janet Grimm says
Maggie, I am sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts. Janet
Elizabeth Kindermann says
Maggie,
How blessed you are to have had such a grandmother! I will keep you and yours in prayer. Eternal rest, grant unto her oh, Lord! May Perpetual Light shine upon her, and may she rest in peace. Amen.
Beth
Patricia Hebior says
Carol
Sending our most sincere sympathy in the loss of your mother. It sounds as though she had a wonderful and full life.
Phil Milner says
When I was growing up, Floyd and Mary were like my closest aunts and uncles. They did everything together. They were fun to be around. Floyd would get excited, and Mary would straighten him out. I started missing them when I left Plymouth, and always spent happy time with them when I came home. Mary used to make me rhubarb pie, which was unequalled. I guess I don\’t know who the survivors are, but two great ones passed from the earth when they died. Mary was the last of my parents\’ old gang. I wish we were closer, and could be there to trade stories about that wonderful couple, Mary and Floyd. Phil and Marilyn Milner
Bob Orr says
Carol,
We\’re awed by the long, sweet, and rich life your mother seemed to have. I remember a kind woman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Bob and Christine Orr
Tanya Hutchinson says
Carol and family…you all are in our thoughts and hearts. We send this with much LOVE for you all and your family.
Tanya Hutchinson
Mary Ann Avery says
Debbie, Family, Joyce, and Susan,
All my thoughts are with you during your time of loss. I will be thinking of you during the upcoming difficult week. Take joy in her wonderful and long life, and use that and those wonderful memories to help you through your loss.
Mary Ann
Dawn Tesner says
Maggie, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Dawn Tesner
Randy Danielson says
Joyce, Debbie, Sue and family,
What a \’Live Wire\’ she has been in the over 40 years of great memories that I have being a part of the Burkett and Howard families. I always felt welcome in their home. In recent years I would see her nearly every time I was at the Catherine Kasper Center and she was scooting around like no one\’s business slowing down only to say Hi! She was a great lady and I\’m sure will be missed.