Visitation Friday, May 31, 2019, 6-8 pm at Resthaven Mortuary.
Celebration of Life, 10 am Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Olivet Baptist Church, 3440 W 13th in Wichita, KS.
Internment at Resthaven.
On April 27, 1930, Mary Louise Riner was born in a farmhouse in rural Sumner County, Kansas. Along with her seven siblings, she attended a one-room school where she was the only student in her grade through 8th grade. She attended Conway Springs High School, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1948. When Ed Falconbridge spotted her in the choir of the church he was attending, he knew that “she was the one.” They married in 1951 and began to create the amazing, loving partnership that lasted a lifetime. They joined Olivet Baptist Church in 1954 and served the Lord there for the rest of their lives.
Originally an English major who sang in the Singing Quakers at Friends University, Mary postponed the completion of her degree to marry and start a family. When all her children were in school, Mary resumed her college career, majoring in elementary education. Upon graduating, Mary accepted a teaching position at Nelson Elementary School in Haysville where she taught for many years and earned her master’s degree in that time period. Even before her “official” career, Mary had been sharing her talent for teaching. She taught music at Starkey School where she enriched the lives of intellectually disabled students and even created a small Madrigals-style group for those who were musically talented. In addition, she used her teaching talents as a dedicated and inspiring Sunday school teacher, reluctantly giving up that role in her mid-80s.
Her teaching background and love of literature led to her early advocacy for church libraries. She began what would become a top-quality library at her own church, developing it from a small room with just a few books to a state-of-the-art, automated media center. She also was a leader in assisting other churches in following this same path.
Music was a major part of Mary’s life. She created a home full of music, and when third daughter Melinda was born, she commented, “Now I have my trio.” Indeed, her three daughters sang as the Falconbridge Trio on many occasions. Mary’s own musical talents were wide-ranging, from singing to playing the piano and organ. She also accompanied herself on the autoharp, often presenting programs at care homes much like the one where she spent the last four years of her life. Christmas was an especially wonderful time of musical sharing, and family members will always remember her singing “Some Children See Him” with her autoharp as accompaniment.
In the last years of her life, most recently in the fog of dementia, Mary still wanted to serve others. She often would say that she needed to be doing something for others, not just receiving their assistance. The comments that emerged from her confused mind were both humorous and heartwarming as she talked about “evaluating her skill set” and wondering if she should teach part-time or as a substitute. In another poignant moment, she asked us to give her breath to someone who could use it “for good.”
Mary recently developed blood clots in both legs and had emergency surgery at St. Francis Hospital where she showed the same sweet spirit she has shared with others her entire life. The hospital staff loved her because even as she fought her excruciating pain, she expressed her thanks for every small and large act of assistance.
Then, amazingly, for a very brief period of time, the “real Mary” came back to us as she sat up suddenly and told family members to gather around her to hold hands. She shared that she had talked to God in a moment that was like being in Heaven and she would only be with us for a short time. After her children prayed, she prayed and asked God to give them peace after she was gone. She was able to give the hospital staff end-of-life directions, confirming her previously stated wishes. What a blessing she gave to her children by removing the burden of those hard decisions. Many, many prayers were answered in her last few days.
Alongside her husband, Mary Falconbridge spent her adult lifetime serving others, including her family, of course, but reaching far beyond that to make a difference in hundreds of lives.
Interestingly, Mary was 11 years and 7 months younger than her beloved husband, and she joined him in Heaven exactly 11 years and 7 months after him. Soulmates on earth, they are now soulmates in Heaven.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward H. Falconbridge; parents, Henry and Josephine (Haines) Riner; brothers, Warren Riner, Richard Riner, Carroll Riner, and Marion Riner; sisters, Marjorie Prokes and Ruth Hennessee; and son-in-law Larry Duerksen.
Survived by her brother, Harold (Janice) Riner of Camdenton, MO; son, Roger W. Falconbridge of Wichita, KS; daughters, Rosemary (Steve) Miller of Wichita, KS/Hutchinson, KS; Kathy Duerksen of Dinuba, CA; Melinda (John) Martyn of Towanda, KS; 4 grandsons, David (Tami) Martyn of Weatherford, OK; Bryan (Julie) Miller of Wichita, KS; Phillip (Stephanie) Martyn of Wichita, KS; and Kevin (Jillian) of Wichita, KS; 15 great-grandchildren with 1 more debuting in October; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in Mary's name can be sent to Olivet Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.
