McKay, Mary A. Jul 5, 1929 – Aug 14, 2009 Bellevue, NE. Survived by husband, Jerry. Mary was born in St. Edward, NE to Roy and Maggie Case Force. She passed in Omaha, following a battle with cancer. She was the youngest of 5 children. Mary graduated from St. Edward High School in 1947. She worked at the Lutheran Hospital in Columbus, NE before marrying her childhood sweetheart, Jerry McKay, in 1948. They lived in Blair, NE where they both worked for Hunt Telephone Company. After Jerry joined the Navy, they were stationed at Pearl Harbor, HI, where their son Timothy was born at Tripler Army Hospital. After being discharged from the Navy, they returned to St. Edward, NE in 1955, where Jerry worked for N. W. Bell Telephone Co. They lived in Norfolk, NE where their daughter Mary Kathleen was born. They moved to Grand Island, NE, living there for 5 years before moving to Bellevue in 1963. Mary and Jerry joined St. James United Methodist Church in 1963 and were active in many ways in the church; singing in the choir and serving on committees. Mary taught Sunday School and Bible School and was always available to help out where needed. They helped serve Communion monthly at Hillcrest Care Center for 15 years, providing the music needed. She sang for 17 years with the Voices of Omaha when they presented Handel’s Messiah at Christmas time. She sang for several years with the Bellevue Senior Singers as they entertained at churches and Senior Centers. She played piano for children’s choirs at St. James, and for the U.M. W. group where she was a member. She was also church organist for several years. She was a member of the Library Committee and Newsletter Committee She was a member of O.E.S. and worked with Jobs Daughters as director of music for several years. Mary had a deep love of family and so enjoyed her three grandchildren; she lovingly called her three “J”s – Jennifer, Joshua and Jerrid. Hobbies included music, sewing, reading, gardening, cooking and traveling. She enjoyed the trip to the Holy Land with the group from St. James, also the choir trip to Coventry, England. Mary was preceded in death by he parents, one brother Eldon R. Force and sister Helen Force Pogue. Mary is survived by husband Jerry; son Tim and wife Channon of Omaha; daughter Kathy and husband Alan Bobbitt of Garland, TX; brother Duane Force of Portland, Oregon and brother Harold Force and wife Grace of Columbus, NE; grandson Josh Bobbitt, U.S. Army; granddaughter Jennifer and husband Kirk Larson, Austin, TX; grandson Jerrid McKay of Omaha and many nieces, nephews and friends. VISITATION Monday 6-8pm at Bellevue Memorial Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE Tuesday, August 18, 11am at St. James United Methodist Church. Interment Wednesday, August 19, 11am at Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE. Memorials to St. James United Methodist Church.
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