Mary Grafe Warren

Mary Grafe Warren was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on December 15, 1930, the daughter of Adam and Mary Grafe. She grew up in Dallas, attended The Hockaday School, and later enrolled at Sweet Briar College. After two years, she returned to Texas and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Following her graduation, Mary returned to Dallas and made her debut, enjoying time with friends and participating in the city’s vibrant social life. It was there she met the love of her life, Joe Warren, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point who had recently completed his service in Korea. The two were married in 1954 and shared a wonderful partnership that spanned many decades. Over time, their family grew to include five lovely daughters.

Throughout her life, Mary was deeply involved in her community. She was an active member of the Junior League of Dallas, the Dallas Book Club, and numerous other civic organizations. She cherished her friendships, loved playing bridge, and was always ready to lend a hand at her daughters’ schools and activities.

Mary and Joe shared a lifelong love of football, faithfully cheering on both the West Point Army team and the Dallas Cowboys.

Mary lived a long, full, and joyful life surrounded by the people she loved most. She was blessed with ten grandchildren—Joe, Will, Trayte, Courtney, Katie, Emma, Sara, Aida, Alexis, and Joel—and three great-grandchildren, Simon, Graham and Lucas, with another expected in the new year. She also held a special friendship with Jaynie Denman, and her caregivers: the late JoAnn Ward, Mary Loyd, Selina Smith, and Phyllis Okwiri. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, daughter Celia, and brother Buddy. She is survived by her brother David and her daughters, Cathy Gassenheimer (Rick), Carol Cobler, Christin Johnson (Randy), and Kitsie Ferrer (Vicente).

A private family graveside memorial will be held on Friday, November 14. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in Mary’s honor.