Mary was the 7th of 8 children brought up on a farm in Ohio where she enjoyed the happy life that came from all of the farm activities. After training to become a registered nurse at Holzier Hospital in Gallipolis, Ohio she joined the Army Nurse Corps and became a flight nurse during WWII. Then she began the adventure of her life, serving in the 803rd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater. Stationed in Chabua, India, Mary met a handsome young pilot, Bill Dietrich, with whom she shared a romance and adventure which was to continue for 43 years. Marrying on Christmas Day at the end of the war, they raised a family of 4, and as Bill advanced through a military career of 33 years in the USAF, Mary supported her husband and family, creating a warm and happy home. She was adventurous and beautiful, a wonderful cook and entertainer, a golfer (2 holes-in-one) and bridge player, and she gave countless hours of volunteering back to the community. Following her husband's retirement as a Major General, they moved to Kansas City where Bill became President of Uniformed Services Benefit Association, a large national insurance company servicing all branches of the military.
Bill passed away, and Mary was very fortunate to find happiness again in 1992 when she married Don McMorris, the retired President of Yellow Freight and a widower from Kansas City with 3 lovely daughters. Mary enjoyed 16 wonderful years together with Don, a marriage that added much joy to each of their lives. Don sadly passed away in 2008, and Mary then moved to Fort Worth to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Benge Daniel, who have cared for Mary in many generous ways offering gifts of time, devotion and love for over 14 years.
Mary is survived by 3 daughters and a son; Linda Morris (husband Leighton) of Melbourne, Australia; Jackie Daniel (husband Benge) of Fort Worth, Tx; Jeanne Dietrich (husband John McCarraher) of Gaithersburg, Md; and Don Dietrich (wife Christy) of Burnsville, Mn. Mary's 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren remember her with much love as a role model and a loving person who enjoyed laughter, music and believed in the importance of having fun.
There will be a Funeral Service for Mary on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 11 :00 am at the First United Methodist Church Chapel of Fort Worth (800 W. 5th St., 76102), and on which day we would have celebrated her 102nd birthday. She will be buried with military honors with her first husband, Major General Bill Dietrich, at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in a private ceremony.
The family would particularly like to thank Lowah Wisseh and the many caregivers at the Stayton who looked after Mary with such love and devotion. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be sent to the First Street Methodist Mission, 801 W. First St., 76102.
