Mary lived a long and fulfilling life as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was born February 19, 1929 in Clearfield, PA to Charles and Grace Lewis. As a young child she moved to Kenmore, NY where she attended grammar school and graduated from Kenmore Senior High School. Her first job was with Western Electric where she was selected as the “Hey Charlie” girl, for the Kenmore plant. She soon met her future husband, Donald Rumsey and they were married on February 17, 1951 in Buffalo, NY.
Mary loved family, friends and travel. Whether it was game night with the family and grandchildren or trips abroad with lifelong friends, Mary relished her time spent with them. She enjoyed watching tennis and KU basketball and rarely missed a game.
Mary was a volunteer for over 30 years at Research Hospital in Kansas City, starting out in the Chaplain’s office, moving to the gift shop and finally working in the Visiting Nurses office. She also served as President of the Research Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. Later she volunteered with Meals On Wheels supporting her local community. For the past 17 years, Mary and Don lived at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS. She continued her volunteer spirit working in their pantry and would often accompany friends to appointments and shopping trips.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Donald G. Rumsey, a son Donald (Brenda) Rumsey, Overland Park, KS and a daughter Debbie (Ron) Graeff, Lebanon, TN, sister Jane (the late Ernie) Varney, Orchard Park, NY, brothers, Robert (Linda) Lewis, Alden, NY and Dr. Richard (Char) Lewis, Pittsburgh, PA and grandchildren, Michael Rumsey, Springfield, MO, David Graeff, Naperville, IL, Ben Graeff, Hermitage, TN, James Rumsey, Kansas City, MO and Kate (Matt) Gilbertson, New York, NY.
Funeral services will be private with interment at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
