Mary Beatrice Nusko McGlothlin, age 96, died on April 7, 2021, in Georgetown, Texas. Mary was born December 25, 1924, in La Habra, California, to parents Jesse Nusko and Ila Mae Parrish Nusko. When she was just a young child, her mother died, and her father married Lessie Parrish; her beloved aunt became her loving mother.
The family moved to Van, Texas, where Mary began school and a few years later, they moved to Kilgore, Texas, where her father worked in the booming East Texas oilfield. It was there that Mary met a young man in junior high who would become the love of her life, Horace (Clyde) McGlothlin. After they graduated from Kilgore High School in 1941, Clyde moved away, they lost touch, and Mary attended Kilgore College where she was a Kilgore Rangerette.
When the United States entered World War II, she went to work for Western Union and was sent to Killeen, Texas, and then Marfa, Texas. While in Killeen, through an amazing series of events, the two lovebirds reconnected and carried on a relationship by correspondence, as he was in the United States Marine Corps, part of that time serving in the South Pacific. Clyde let her know that he was to be traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast, and if she would meet him in Grand Prairie, Texas, they could get married. She did, and they did—in February 1945! They were devoted to one another for 73 years.
After the war, they lived in Grand Prairie and raised a family—with a short stint in California again while Clyde served in the Marines during the Korean War. After having their son Bob and daughter Sandra, Mary returned to the work force as secretary at First Baptist Church, Grand Prairie, followed by a number of years as an Account Executive with the Polaroid Corporation Distribution Center in Irving, Texas. In Grand Prairie, Clyde and Mary were very active members of First Baptist Church. As a family, they traveled widely in Texas and the Western US—camping, fishing, hiking, and exploring. They hosted two exchange students (Graciela Haurat of Argentina, and Magnus Nissell of Sweden) and participated in the leadership of the American Field Service in the area. Mary also was active in the Grand Prairie Garden Club and the Women’s Club.
After both Mary and Clyde retired, they continued their travels; destinations included Canada, Europe, Russia, South America, Alaska, Panama, South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia. They also acquired a small home in Lake City, Colorado, where they spent half the year—again, fishing, exploring by 4WD vehicle, and staying active with First Baptist Church Lake City, Hinsdale County Historical Society, and many other community projects. In 2007, the pair moved to Georgetown, Texas, where they attended Crestview Baptist Church regularly.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Clyde McGlothlin, her parents, sister Pauline Chandler, and brother Edwin Nusko. She is survived by sister Shirley Nusko Smith Whitaker (Henryetta, Oklahoma), son Bob McGlothlin (Marilyn) of Mansfield, Texas, and daughter Sandra Adair (Randy) of Georgetown; grandchildren Jake McGlothlin, Mandy King, Jake Adair, and Joseph Adair; and great-grandchildren Cody King, Caleb King, Avery McGlothlin, Callie Adair, and Ruthie Adair.
Burial will be on Wednesday, April 14, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Pastor Robert Stephens officiating. A celebration of life is in the planning stages. Memorial donations may be made to the building fund of Crestview Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Special gratitude is extended to the staff of Baylor Scott & White Health Hospice and The Delaney at Georgetown Village for their loving and expert care at the end of Mary’s life.
A celebration of Mary's life is scheduled for 11:00 am, Friday, May 14, 2021, at Crestview Baptist Church, Georgetown, Texas.
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