Mary "Terry" Airey

Mary Theresa Airey, 80, died peacefully and surrounded by love on October 1, 2015, at her home. “Miss Terry,” as she was affectionately known to hundreds of students and families whose lives she touched at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, was born on September 27, 1935, in Waterville, Kansas.

She attended Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas. This kind and gentle spirit dedicated her life to helping others. She played a key role in founding Synergy Services and served on the organization’s board of directors. She was capital campaign director of Synergy Girls Home in Parkville. Inspired by her nephew’s challenges with cerebral palsy, Terry worked with the Capper Foundation in Topeka. A champion for those struggling with mental health issues, Terry served on the Tri-County Community Mental Health Services Board. She advocated the importance of reading during her career as a librarian, teacher’s aide, and assistant day care director at St. Charles Borromeo School. She also worked tirelessly to help people find jobs as the owner of All-Ways Employment Agency in Parkville. Terry won the Anne Robb Townsend award for philanthropy in 2003; the Synergy Friend of the Year Award in 1983; Synergy Volunteer of the Year in 1990; and was named the Jaycee’s Woman of the Year in the 1970s. Terry had a multitude of friends, who will remember her generous heart, sharp wit, sense of adventure, crazy bridge skills, and long talks on her front porch. She was a devout Catholic and followed a simple credo in life: faith, family, friends, and fun. Terry is preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Shea Airey; her parents, Mathilda and Harry Donald; and her brother, Paul Donald. She is survived by her children, Mark (Rhonda) Lindbergh; Renee (Steve) Sutherby; Kim Whalen; Angie Lindbergh; Lisa (Dave) McCormick; Dale (Ken) Dyer; Steve (Debbie) Airey; Doug Airey; Robin Airey; 21 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5-8pm, with a prayer service at 7:30pm Sunday, October 4, at St. Charles Borromeo Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9am Monday, October 5, at St. Charles. Burial will be at St. Gregory's Cemetery in Marysville, Kansas.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Garden Valley Rehabilitation Center and Crossroads Hospice for their kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family would like the community to embrace the “Terry Airey Initiative” and perform one act of kindness for someone every day.

Love and prayers. We will always miss you.