Aunt Mary was my second mom.  A very open and honest person. Tonja and Dennis my adopted siblings.  She was a hell cat (no other way to explain it), and I loved and admired her for that.  Her spirit and spunk was amazing, I hope I have that when I grow up.  Love you Tonja, let me know if you need to talk.

cindy

Tonja, I wanted to share a few of my memories that I have or your Mom with you.   
First of all let me say how special I feel  because I knew your Mom and what a special lady she was. I want you to know how much it meant to me to have a special tradition with her. It always made me feel so good that I could make her Rice Krispie Treats.
I remember her sitting on my back porch argueing poletics with Eddie. We all know what fibber he is and Mary kept up with him all the way. I don't think he could pull anything on her. 
She was so spunky and funny. She always made me laugh. I admired her for her love of dogs. I remember when she took in the neighbors dogs that had moved off and left them. She said "What was I supposed to do ?" "I could'nt just leave them."  Like that was the only choice. 
I always enjoyed buying her things she wanted just because it was a good deal like the quilts and insulated glasses. Her and I like  "stuff"    
She was so sweet to pick up deals for us too. I think of her everytime I cook in my 9x13 pans. There are many more memories, but those are a few that stand out. 
Your life will never be the same, but hold on to your memories. They will keep a smile on your face.
What a wonderful thing to be remembered for, making people laugh. 
 
Love ya !! Pam

I am Mary’s daughter and I am the luckiest person in the world to have Mary Henley as my mom.

One of the things she enjoyed was traveling.  I have worked for an airline for the past 23 years and we were able to do a lot of traveling.  We shared so many memories of all our adventures it was really hard to decide on one story, but I choose our trip to Reno, NV.  Not only does it include traveling, but also her love for gambling.

It had only been about 6 months since she had open-heart surgery to have a valve replaced.  We got a great deal on a room so we decided to go.  We got up early and caught the first flight and arrived in Reno mid afternoon.  It was a very windy day and I remember her being so weak I had to hold her to cross the street so she wouldn’t fall.  

We started gambling and after a while she asked me what time it was.  I told her it was around one o’clock.  She thought for a minute and said…is it daytime or nighttime?  She was so tired she had lost all track of time.  But that was my mom, a true fighter.  She never would give up and say she couldn’t do something.  

I will miss my mom for the rest of my life, but she has left me with a beautiful gift:  her positive attitude, her passion for life and her unconditional love.  Thanks mom for all you did for me and I will love you always.

Your daughter,
Tonja

What a wonderful Aunt!  I will truly miss Aunt Mary.  She was very special to me and I will always remember her.  May she rest in peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Tonja, Sorry to hear about your mother. I know you were very close to her. I pray Gods comfort and strength be with you today and always. Your mother is smiling as she looks at what a beautiful Daughter she has while in the presence of our Lord. Jesus is risen and so is it with your mother. Praise God...Peace be with you!  Rose Slaton

I first met Mary a little over 10 years ago when I first started dating Tonja.  It had gotten to that point in our relationship when I needed to meet the parents.  It all started out very innocently when Tonja said we were going to go to their house to meet them and then we would all head out to dinner somewhere.  When we knocked on the door it swung open and I was greeted by Mary, with her hair poofed up in a short skirt and bright red cowgirl boots...and that wasn't all.  Aunt Martha was there in skin tight black leather pants and a leopard skin top.  Believe it or not, I wasn't phased.  I just thought that I was going to be in for a wild time that night.  After they changed out of their 'costumes', we all went out and had a wonderful evening together.  A guess I passed the test!  Mary was very protective of her children and no one that couldn't take a joke was going to last too long around this bunch.

Besides for her children, Mary loved her dogs.  I think they were her children too.  There was never a stray in the neighborhood that didn't find a permanent home at the Henley house.  No dog ever went hungry.  As a matter of fact the opposite was true.  I remember when Mary & David took a little road trip to Florida and it was our responsibility to watch over the dogs while they were gone.  Mary gave explicit instructions on where the find the WHOLE CHICKENS and how to cook them up in the pressure cooker for the dogs.  Hmmm, ok.  So Tonja & I went over and cooked up a bunch of chicken and put some out for the dogs.  When we showed up the next day, the dogs had barely eaten any of the chicken, so we called Mary to see if we had forgotten something.  She said, "well, you need to heat it up just enough to take the chill off, then you need to take the meat off the bones for them".  I took one look at those dogs and they looked back at me as if to say "Dummy, don't you know nothin!"

The time that she got me the best was about a year ago after she was on her oxygen string which stretched from one end of the house to the other.  She was working in the kitchen and I went in there to get something off of the counter and then I heard her start to gasp for air.  I looked over and turned white wondering what I needed to do.  Then Mark tapped me on the shoulder and pointed down.  I was standing on her oxygen hose.  I quickly jumped off and them she smiled and said 'gotcha'.

One thing that I've learned from being a part of her family is that there is no situation or set of circumstances that is so dire that you can't have a laugh about it once in a while.  It's all about making lemonade out of lemons and Mary was living proof of it.  With all of the issues that she has had throughout her life and even her doctors saying that she used all of her nine lives a long time ago, she still had a hunger for life up to the very end.  

There are some people let life in general get them down and give up out of self pity before The Lord says it's their time.  Mary on the other hand sucked the marrow out of live and asked for seconds.  If I ever learned anything from Mary it is to keep life fun, and never stop.  I'm a better person for having known her.

Rest in Peace Mom.  

Your son-in-law, John

Our hearts ache for you and your loss in these difficult hours. Know that you are in our warmest thoughts in the coming days. 
Marie

Tonja, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family...God bless and keep you all strong during this really hard time... love Bert

Tonja,

Thinking about you today! I love you! You have always been special to me! You had a special relationship with your mom and she will always be in your heart! May the God of all comfort, comfort you today and always! 
I love you!
Norma

Tonja,
   I'm so sorry for loss.  I pray that God wraps his arms around you to give you comfort and strength. Remember your mom is with you everywhere you go.

Tonja - I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never met your mom, I can tell what a lovely woman she was by the sweet and caring daughter she raised. You are a wonderful tribute to her memory. Our thoughts are with you.

Tonja our condolances go out to you and your family.  I know you will miss your Mom lots but you have such wonderful memories.  So hang on to that and it will help you get through this difficult time in your life.  If there anything we can do just let me know.  "Mary "Thank you" for always thinking of me."  Our prayers are with your family.  May God bless you ALL....Rosie LeBleu

Tonja, My prayers are with you and your family. These pictures are just an awesome display of Love. Your mom was a special lady. Keep your memories close they will comfort you. Blessings to you all.

Tonja - Wow what an awesome photo gallery of your mom and her family and friends.  Looking at these pictures shows to all of us what a special mom and friend she was.   May God hold each of you in his arms and comfort you during this difficult time.  My prayers are with you and your family

The MARYS...are having fun now...Im sure they both are at the slot machines as I write this...love you lots my ol bud..xoxox carla

Tonja I am sorry for your loss. Our Moms are so special to us. I loved being around your mom. She was so spunky and funny. She always made me laugh. Such a sweet lady. 
I have her pictured sitting at a slot machine munchin on rice krispie treats in heaven.

What a loving, beautiful tribute to your mom, she was so loved by her children, family and friends, my prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.  Bless you..........

Tonja,
  We start our lives with our Mom being our best friend. If we're smart, she stays our best friend always. You've been smart and blessed my friend. You look just like her. What a beautiful display of pictures. My heart is with you. Much Love!

My thoughts and prayers will always be with you.

Mom writing a message for you on the computer would be the last place!  You never did have the patience to learn how to use a computer.  I remember when you would hear stuff on TV with a website you would always be so clear to tell me it was W W W!  You don't ever have to worry about that anymore.  I'm missing you already.

OBITUARY

Mary Louise Richey Henley

22 September, 1937 – 2 April, 2010

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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