Mary Lucille McFarland

Mary Lucille (Terryberry) McFarland was born on the family farm on September 6, 1924 in rural Cedar Creek, Nebraska to Jess and Lucille (Urish) Terryberry. Her younger brother, Donald joined her eight years later. She attended Fairview Country School through the eighth grade, in Louisville and later graduated from Plattsmouth High School in 1942. Mary and her cousins went through school together from first grade and until graduation. Her dear father, Jess passed away from complications of diabetes when she was only 13. She, her mother and brother remained on the family farm for five years until moving into town. One of her greatest memories is that of her father teaching her to dance when she was ten years old. He was an excellent dancer (waltz especially). "Don't look at your feet, Mary", he would tell her. This began her love for dancing. She and her cousins, Shirley and Dan often danced in school together.

Mary met Dean McFarland in high school, and they began going steady in their Junior year. Dean enlisted and was then drafted in the Air Force. While on leave, Mary and Dean were married on July 20th, 1944. Because he was scheduled to return to service in a month, he came home on a Sunday night and they were married the following Wednesday at The Manse in Plattsmouth by the Presbyterian minister. "I had my wedding planned and ready, but this is what we did," said Mary. Ultimately, Dean did not have to return.

Mary and Dean welcomed their daughter, Sharilyn Mary in June of 1945 and son, Gary Dean four years later in July 1949. Mary stayed home, raising the children until they were older and then worked part time in sales. She loved preparing and demonstrating food in the grocery market. "I was a good salesperson and I often got them to buy more," Mary proudly said. She later worked at GEM Discount Department Store in the children's department and Kilpatrick's in Omaha in the silver and flatware department. She sold AVON and Amway. She laughed to recall that once, when Dean drove the car, the neighborhood children asked him why he was driving the AVON lady's car! Mary loved driving.

Mary and Dean were introduced to The Ozarks and spent vacations there. Whereas they loved ballroom dancing they would often take their own music and dance in the motel room. Good friends Don and Irene Fauth vacationed and danced with them, often.

Church life was always important to Mary; she and her husband were very involved in Westminster Presbyterian Church of Omaha. Mary served as a Deacon for nine years and was chairwoman of the funeral luncheon ministry. She enjoyed calling on parishioners. She and Dean taught two classes of Stephen's Ministry.

Dean passed away October 22, 2011. Mary later moved to Richmont Terrace Assisted Living in February 2017.

Preceded in death by husband, Dean; daughter, Sharilyn Hinders; grandson, Roger McFarland; and brother, Donald Terryberry. Mary is survived by her son, Gary McFarland (Mary Beth); her son-in-law, Terry Hinders (Sharon Henning); her granddaughters, Tammi Hunter (Jeremy), Samantha Feddeler (Brian); and her great-grandchildren, Matthew (Kourtney) McFarland, Alexis McFarland, and Jacob Davis.