Mary Agnes Casey, 93, Frontenac, Kan., died at 4:20 am on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home in Frontenac, following illness.
Mary was born May 26, 1929 in McAllen, Texas, the daughter of Ernest and Agnes (Maloney) Hawley. Mary was an only child but she had many cousins and friends. The family moved to San Angelo where she Mary graduated from high school and then went to nursing school, receiving her RN degree in 1951.
On May 3, 1952, Mary married Walter Rieg Shelby in Dallas, Texas. Mary and Walter raised two sons Jean Marie Shelby Brest and Hawley Thomas Shelby. They lived in Dallas until 1985 when they moved to Slaton, Texas. While living in Dallas, Mary worked as a nurse for an ophthalmologist and often accompanied the study to Haiti to help those in need. At one time the medical team was stopped at a checkpoint manned by the Haitian secret police, The Tonton Macoute. Because of their charitable work among the Haitian people, they were allowed to pass unharmed.
When Mary and Walter moved to Slaton, Mary worked for many years in the administration of Highland Hospital. Walter died at 69 leaving Mary a widow. Walter’s brother John had also left behind a widow, Melba, who was a close friend of Mary’s. Melba remarried Ambrose Casey and after Mary retired, Melba and Ambrose introduced her to Ambrose’s brother Meryl. Meryl and Mary hit it off immediately and married in June 1994, again becoming Mary and Melba’s sisters-in-law. Mary and Meryl resided in Chanute. It didn’t take Mary long to make many friends. Mary volunteered with the reading program at Alcott School as she was a strong believer in education. She helped out at a local bar and socialized with many friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, on May 24, 1990, her second husband, Meryl Casey, on October 11, 1998, and her son Hawley Shelby of Dallas on April 30, 2008.
Mary is survived by her daughter Jean Marie Brest of Selah, Washington, stepchildren; Murray Joseph Casey, of Omaha, Neb., Mary Colleen (Casey) McGregor of Chanute, Jeanie Frances (Casey) Cramer, Overland Park, and Sally Ann (Casey) Imhof, of Mulberry. Mary is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many grandchildren. Mary Agnes (aka: MA, Grama Mary) is much loved by Clan Casey and Clan Shelby. Her sweet, fun and joyful nature will be greatly missed.
The Christian Burial Mass will be at 10am on Saturday February 25, 2023 at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Frontenac, with Fr. Josh Evans as Celebrant. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 before mass in church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for expressions of condolence to be in the form of memorials at St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School. Friends can leave or mail memorials to Friskel Funeral Home 230 E. McKay Frontenac, KS 66763. Condolences can be left at www.friskelfuneralhome.com
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Friskel Funeral Home Frontenac.
