Mary was born January 30, 1925, in Kansas City, Kansas, and has been a lifelong resident of this area.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mary (Dugan) and Alfred Lyth, and a brother, Alfred (Al) Lyth, who died in WWII.
She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1943, attended Kansas City Kansas Junior College, Park College, and graduated from Kansas University in 1946. She taught social studies at Bonner Springs High School for two years before her June 3,1948 marriage to her high school sweetheart, Ray Alderson. They spent many Friday night dates chaperoning high school events. She worked for Union Pacific Railroad both in Lawrence and in Kansas City until 1955. She was active in P.T.A., a Girl Scout leader, and a room mother many times. She was a member of P.E.O., Chapter GM. Mary had been active with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, helping with the "Breath of Spring" Balls and with their bridge tournaments. For 15 years, she was in charge of getting a birthday cake for each boy living at Gillis Home. She had been a member of Central Christian Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and then a member of Country Club Christian Church, and was active in Circle 17. She later became a member of Hillcrest Christian Church. Ray and Mary were blessed to have celebrated 70 years of marriage this past June.
Mary is survived by Ray, the love of her life, her beloved sister, Virginia (Ginnie) Orrick, two wonderful daughters and their husbands, Virginia Rae and Howard McGaha, and Laura Eloise and Don Musil, 5 grandchildren, Brian (Megan) and Ben (Kristen) Lancaster, and Dane Musil, Erin (Nathan) Miller, Katelyn Musil, seven great grandchildren, Brendan, Ben, Riley, Karlie, Hope, Roman and Scarlett, and her dear nieces and nephews.
Mary loved her Lord and Savior, her family, and was very grateful for many blessings of friends, neighbors and home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Mary's name to Hillcrest Christian Church, 11411 Quivira Road, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66210 or the charity of your choice.
Services will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO on Monday, December 17. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:00 p.m. The family requests a private burial.
