Mary Lee Lynch

Mary was 102 years old. Mary Lived so long because she was infinitely interested in life – people, animals, and anything beautiful, funny, new, or different. Mary made friends everywhere as she was always glad to give time, attention, an open heart, and her beautiful smile.

Mary was born May 15, 1919 and was adopted by George and Mary Adeline McMahan. Mary was proud of her parents. Her father was a schoolteacher but became a postman to pay for Mary Adeline’s 40 surgeries. Mary Adeline was the best clothing seamstress in Warrensburg Missouri and also made beautiful quilts and embroidery. Mary and her friends were always outside skating, playing jump rope and basketball. At 14, Mary attended Monopoly parties when the Parker Brothers game came out.

Mary worked her way through college by very precisely printing the Dewey Decimal System labels for the library books. At Central Missouri State College, she gained her teacher’s certificate and learned to fly a plane (she loved to do spins). Mary enjoyed working as a teacher in Kansas City, Missouri but could not earn a living wage. She became a clerk at a German Prisoner of War Camp recording work hours and payments.

Larry Nelson Lynch was also on the bus commuting to his job in Kansas City. Mary and Larry talked and laughed a lot and married July 1st, 1949 in Denver where Larry had accepted a job as salesman at White Trucks. Larry rose to become White Trucks Rocky Mountain Area Branch Manager.

Mary continued to substitute teach in Aurora and Lakewood. Her former students still remember her as a favorite teacher. She frequently was called to substitute in handicapped students’ classes because they gladly accepted her but gave other substitutes a difficult time.

Mary’s neighbors asked Mary to help at their Holland Imports showroom at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Mary really enjoyed it. On one of her trips back home to Missouri, she stopped in at The Grace Company in Belton Missouri and asked to be their sales representative. They first refused the intrepid young woman with no experience, and then changed their mind and Mary became a manufacturer’s representative for the Rocky Mountain area. Mary loved her work and, especially, all the clients and associates who were her good friends; she retired from the Mart after 58 years at age 98.

In the 60’s and 70’s, Mary chaperoned and supervised teenagers on European tours. She loved the travel and the people she met. In the fall, she made up to 200 jars of crabapple jelly. At Christmas, Mary made up to 300 loaves of cranberry bread for friends, family, and neighbors and Larry’s clients.

In 80’s and 90’s, Mary distributed Paulino’s poinsettias at Christmas and Grand Junction peaches in the summer. All her life, she loved to surprise friends and neighbors with little birthday and holiday gifts, often anonymously and “mysteriously” left at front doors.

At age 77, Mary bought a Suzuki 450 motorcycle at a garage sale. After she got her license, friends helped her find and install a sidecar so that she and her poodle Macho could deliver the Rocky Mountain News. She porched every paper; great arm.

Mary loved to watch and feed the birds, ate snow peas and tomatoes from her garden, watched Law and Order, followed Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family, always was ready for Sunday lunch at Black-Eyed Pea, and Panera broccoli cheddar soup. She loved reading, especially biographies and murder mysteries. Mary really enjoyed all of her birthday parties, especially at the Mart, the 100th and the 101 parade. She was joyous when Arvada fire and police paraded by for her 102nd.

She loved the people at Jaxpointe Flower Court Assisted Living, and they loved her. She liked to sit near her caregivers and listen and help them with small tasks. She would hold hands and listen to other residents who needed her company. She enjoyed visits with family and friends outside in the yard.

Mary is survived by her three children, Larilee Busby, Patrick Lynch, and Sally Robinson, step-daughters Peggy and Linda Lynch, 7 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Family will be present on October 6 at 10:00 am when Mary’s ashes will be interred at Fort Logan in Larry Lynch’s grave. All attendees must be present at Fort Logan Administration at 9:40.

Mary’s life celebration will be held Wednesday, October 27 from 4 to 7 at the Fleming Mansion in Denver. Mary’s brisket recipe and Mary’s rolls and her favorite cake from Costco (she picked for her 100th birthday) will be served. If you plan on attending, bring your favorite story and, if you like, a side dish or drink. Please RSVP to Patrick or Cynthia Lynch at 303-431-5550 or [email protected].