Mary McCants

She was born on May 21st, 1951 to James and Lois (Ritter) Pellin, who were loving caring parents. She grew up in Buffalo, Iowa with her three siblings, Clara, Tim, and Donald. She attended Central High School in Davenport, Iowa.

For a time she lived out in the Des Moines area until she became engaged and married January 6th, 1973 to Roger McCants. They lived in Fontenell, Iowa where they became a family of three when her eldest son James was born.

The young family moved to Buffalo, Iowa just a few blocks from her parents. She had another son, Raymond, and a daughter, Lorena.

Mary was a stay-at-home mom and as her children got older she went to work for the Davenport Community School District as a paraeducator working at McKinley and Buffalo schools before retiring.

In 1988 Mary made Jesus her Lord and Savior and it was this decision that would shape the person people would come to love and respect. She loved children and her door was always open to the neighborhood kids and her children's friends. She often volunteered at school events and when Lorena and her orchestra friends were in elementary school would pick them up from Monday night orchestra rehearsals.

Her love for children often made her a 2nd grandmother to several kids. She also took delight in her fur-grandbabies; Summer (rip), Annie Bee, and Daisy Grace. She loved to take them on car rides and would make sure they got their homemade doggy cookies.

She was a very giving person to others and helped people where she could.

Mary enjoyed watching television. She loved old westerns, murder mysteries political commentary, and Christian programs such as Charles Stanley and David Jeremiah.

Though she may no longer be here her spirit of love, kindness, and generosity will be remembered.

Mary will be greatly missed by her sons James McCants of Buffalo, IA, Raymond McCants of Davenport, IA, and daughter Lorena Clara McCants of Muscatine, IA. She is survived by her sister Clara (Pellin) Prachar, her brothers Tim and Donald, her niece Deanna (Prachar) Dahlstrom, and several cousins and friends who became family.

She is reunited with her parents, James and Lois, and grandmother Clara Belle Ritter. She finally gets to hold the baby she miscarried in her arms.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 25th, 2025 at 2 pm in the town she called home for most of her life in Buffalo, IA at the Community Center located 426 Clark St, Buffalo, IA 52728.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Scott County or On the Run Pets.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". Philippians 1:21