Marie Adele McCormick

Marie Adele McCormick, known to all as Missy, of Bedford, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025, surrounded by family she loved above all else.

Missy was born on February 10, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA, to Adele and Bud Limerick, and raised in Havertown, PA along with her four sisters, Sally, Barbie, Debbie, and Lisanne – five precious pearls. She was a graduate of the Academy of Notre Dame High School (PA), and earned her education degree from Immaculata University (PA). She met the love of her life, Jan Leon McCormick, in 1962 in Ocean City, NJ shortly after graduating high school, and the two were married in Havertown on May 30, 1968.

Teaching was her calling. She began her career in education at an elementary school in Upland, PA, and later moved with her husband to Frankfurt, Germany, where she continued teaching while he was stationed at a U.S. Army base. Once their first child arrived in 1969, Missy embarked on a new type of teaching and dedicated herself to fully raising four children, Mia, Tammy, Jan Jr., and Scott. Missy always made a home in each state they lived in, from PA to CA to NY to NJ to CT back to CA before settling in Texas for their forever home in 1981.

A dedicated mother, Missy was heavily involved in school volunteer activities and never missed a chance to support her beloved children. After her youngest child entered school, she returned to her teaching career. First, it was preschool classrooms at the local YMCA, then transitioning back to the elementary school environment teaching preschool programs for children with disabilities where, as she once said, “I found my true purpose”. She retired from teaching after 20 years, leaving a lasting impression on all the faculty, parents, and students, whose lives she touched.

Missy filled her retirement with visiting family across the country, attending school sports and dance recitals, as well as planning family vacations. She had a love for the beach, especially the Jersey Shore, where she could be found searching for seashells, finding shark teeth, creating sand sculptures, and building drizzle castles with her family.

A faithful and active member of the Catholic Church, Missy found strength in teaching religious education and the power of prayer, which was a guiding light throughout her life. She served her neighborhood as part of the Bedford Estates HOA, was a member of the SWAT tennis team, and enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. Missy found joy in working in her garden, tending to it with the same care and attention she gave to her loved ones. A weed never stood a chance with Missy around!

She was deeply supportive, always present for her children and grandchildren, no matter how far apart they lived. Her quiet strength and steady faith made her a source of comfort and encouragement to many. Missy was known for making everyone feel welcome, for understanding the value of commitments, and for always trying to make the best of every situation. Her life was a testament to Jesus’ teaching to live your life for others.

Missy loved her country and all the things that made it great, particularly the Fourth of July, and was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She will be remembered for her love, patience, kindness, strength, forgiveness, and unwavering devotion to those around her. She was the heart of her family and a true example of grace. When once asked what she would like her legacy to be, her response was simply “a Love of God, family, friends, and country”.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jan McCormick, Sr.; their children, Mia and Michael Cook, Tammy and Paul Lightfoot, Jan and Doreen McCormick, Jr., Scott and Ashley McCormick; grandchildren, Madeline (Cook) and Jackson Pearson, Kayla, Bridget, and Connor Cook, Zachary and Ben Lightfoot, Bryce, Aubrey, Anna, and Brady McCormick, Jr., Lennon and Maven McCormick; her first great-grandchild, Cooper Pearson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sally and Dick Bauer, Barb and Bob Enoch, Debbie and Dave Jesse, Lisanne Corvaia, nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and cousins, with whom she left many memories of dear Aunt Mis.

A catholic funeral mass will be held in her honor on July 7, 2025, details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Special Olympics https://www.specialolympics.org/ or Disabled American Veterans https://www.dav.org/, continuing her lifelong commitment to special education and her country.