She was surrounded by her daughter, Katelin; eldest sister, Sharon; and best friend Meltri at time of her passing. She was born September 11, 1954, at Stowers - Hanna Hospital in Sentinel, OK. Mary was the second child of six born to Bill and Melvena Burnett of Lone Wolf, OK.
Mary graduated from Lone Wolf High School in 1972. After attending the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1976. Helping others was passion for Mary. She began her nursing career at Jackson County Memorial Hospital in Altus, OK. She would spend the 39 years fielding numerous cries for help, not only on the job, but from family members as well. She was an expert at calming fears, drying tears, holding hands, giving hugs, and providing encouragement. Her passion for helping was evident to all who knew her. She loved working in the Emergency Room and described riding the gurney, and giving chest compressions, in a race to save someone’s life as “rewarding”. She also deeply felt the losses of the patients she was unable to save. Mary wore many hats during her lifetime, but the one that defined her the most was that of “caregiver”.
Mary met and fell in love with Larry Murphy while he was stationed at Altus Air Force Base, and they married on August 8, 1977. Becoming a mother was a dream of Mary's and her daughter, Katelin Nichole Murphy, was born on November 2. 1989. Although her calling in life was that of nurse, her other calling was being a mother. Even when it meant spending thousands of hours having to put her sewing skills to use to create dance costumes. Or having to pin and alter multiple costumes on a child who had no intention of standing still on the coffee table. Her favorite moment, was more than likely, getting the death stare from Katelin while she was on stage at a dance recital, because Mary made her wear a pair of jeans she did NOT want to wear. She did everything she could to ensure Katelin would succeed in everything she did in life and she loved every minute of it.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Katelin and son-in-law, Frank Cimino, Ft. Worth, TX; Sharon Neasbitt (sister) and Helen Chacon, Edmond, OK; Cindy Spears (sister), Mangun, OK; Tom Burnett (brother) and wife, Tammy, Coldwater, MS; and Jennifer Carney (sister), Edmond, OK; ten nieces and nephews: Drew Neasbitt, Oklahoma City, OK, Jody Neasbitt, Moore, OK, Willie Burnett and wife Erin, Brighton, TN, Jessie Koch, Weatherford, OK, Dusty Spears, Coaldale, CO, Megan Adame, Edmond, OK, Kayla Stracner and husband Joe, Bartlett, TN, Danyelle Tyner, Blair, OK, Jeff Carney, Edmond, OK, Casey Burnett, Sillwater, OK, and Matt Carney, Edmond, OK. Mary is also survived by twelve great nieces and nephews. In addition to family, Mary is survived by her loyal friend and colleague, Meltri Allday, who was able to be with Mary during her last days. The love, admiration, and friendship they shared was obvious to all who knew them.
Mary was preceded in death by brother-in-law Steve Neasbitt; father Bill Burnett; brother Frank Burnett; mother-in-law Dorothy Sharpe; mother Melvena Burnett; paternal grandparents Smith and Jewell Burnett; and maternal grandparents Frank and Laura Hartson and many beloved family pets.
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