Mary had resided at Courtyard Estates in Walcott, Iowa for 2.5 years.
Mary Frances McReynolds was born September 13, 1940 in Broughton, Illinois to Jesse Calvin McReynolds and Pearl May McReynolds (nee Thorn). The McReynolds settled in New Harmony, Indiana. Mary’s siblings, Carrie (Paul Stickels), RoseAnn (Bob Hancock), both deceased, and a brother, James McReynolds (Ruth Hoehn) of Booneville, Indiana were all born while the family resided in New Harmony. The McReynolds were also guardians to Jesse’s sister's son, Ezra Mitchell, after she passed away.
Mary attended all 12 years at New Harmony School, graduating in 1958. Mary entered Protestant Deaconess Hospitals 3-year nursing program, graduated, took the Indiana State Boards and proudly
became an R.N. on September 2, 1961.
Mary married Marvin Ray Hancock in New Harmony at the New Harmony Christian Church. They would move to Indianapolis,IN for new careers with Marvin transferring about every 3 years. Two sons were born to the couple, Bradley Eugene (Debbie) in 1965 and Christopher Wayne (Katie) in 1969. They obtained custody of Marvin’s three children, Linda, Stephen (both deceased) and Randall, Bloomington, Illinois. In 1965 they moved to a new home in Amelia, Ohio.
Mary worked at Community Hospital Indianapolis, IN, Dearborn County Hospital Lawrenceburg, IN, and Brown County Hospital Georgetown, OH. Mary and Marvin moved to Bloomington, IN when Marvin became disabled. In Bloomington, Mary became the school nurse for Richland Bean Blossom School for 2 years after Marvin passed away in 1975.
Mary married Daniel T. Smith (North Carolina) and would later divorce after moving back to Iowa. She then moved to Davenport IA and started in surgery at Davenport Mercy Hospital. She left surgery to teach a Surgical Technology program at Trinity Medical Center and retired in 2004. In her retirement she served as a volunteer for the Committee on Surgical Technology Accreditation, serving as on-site volunteer and visiting Surgical Tech for schools across the country for over 10 years.
Mary and Joette Stohn, a Clinical Instructor, co-authored and published a textbook for Surgical Tech students and a reference for surgical employees.
Mary left Iowa in 2004 with her significant other, Albert Gruhl, retiring to Tennessee. Once there she went back to work, for another 5 years, at Cleveland State Community College as a Clinical Instructor for their Associate Nursing Program.
Mary was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Wesley UMC, and Asbury UMC. She was active in AORN, held several offices, and attended several National Congresses. Mary finished her BSN at Marycrest College, Davenport IA and completed her Master’s in Healthcare Administration at St. Ambrose University Davenport IA.
Mary leaves behind her sons, Brad Hancock (Debbie), Blue Grass, IA, and Chris Hancock (Katie), Knoxville TN; stepdaughter, Cari Bosserdet (James), Old Fort, TN; stepson, Barry Gruhl (Debbie), Moline, IL; grandchildren, Heath Hancock, Huck Hancock, Bo Bosserdet, Jenna Bosserdet, Brittany Anderson, Maggie Larimore, and Caitlin Ashenfelder; great grandchildren, Vincent Hancock, Noah and Eden Rodriguez, and Paisley, Kinleghand, and Xaiden Larimore; as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be held at 10 am November 4, 2024 prior to memorial. Ashes will be interred at Davenport Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to attend.
