Marydell Louise Mahan was born May 26, 1928 in Quinlin, Oklahoma to parents David and Fern Mahan. They were a close knit family of five: Alice, (deceased), Marcella, (deceased), Jack, (Bel Aire), and Larry (Wichita). Some time later the family moved a few miles west to Curtis where she attended Curtis Grade School and then Mooreland High School. On February 10, 1944 she married John Denver Irwin Jr.. To this union was added 3 children: John Denver III "JD" (Sherry) of Wichita, Terry James Irwin (Rosamond) of Wichita, and Denita Louise Miller (Mark) of California, Missouri; 6 grandchildren: Jeff Irwin (Susan) of Wichita, Jamie Miller (Laura) of California, Missouri, Jason Irwin (Anna Marie) of Wichita, Kippie Bock (Mike) of Clearwater, Kansas, Kerri Payne (Eric) of Russellville, Missouri, Casey Irwin (Sally) of Manhattan, Kansas; 18 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mary's grandchildren were the joy of her life; she was honored to teach them while they spent time at grandma's house.
They farmed in the Mooreland (OK) area until moving to Wichita. Mary, had dropped the "Dell" from her name, but to many she would always be "Marydell." She was a stay at home mom until Denver met with an unfortunate accident in 1955. She then joined the work force long enough to pay the hospital bills. Mary ended up working 41 years total, 31 of those years at Wescon. Mary attended Westview Baptist Church, being a Baptist all of her life. Denver passed away on October 30, 1996.
In 1997, Mary found happiness once again and married Dennis Towns. Her family grew again with 2 step-step daughters, Sharon Porter (Lee) of Wichita and Deb Ketcherside (Harold) of Wichita and many, many step-step grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Mary and Dennis were married 27 months; Dennis passed away in January 2000.
Denita reflects that while looking through her mother's papers she found this quote and I could see my mother saying these very words, Her children added to the latter.
" I would hope when I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would not have a single bit of talent lost,
And could say I used everything you gave me."
She did, she gave us love which is everything.
