Mary Lynne Parker

Mary Lynne (nee: Woodbury) Parker passed peacefully into eternal life on December 19, 2024, at Hospice of the Ozarks, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, in the presence of her siblings.

Mary was born at home on January 19, 1952, in Kenosha, Wisconsin during a severe winter blizzard.  Her father, Hollis Wayne Woodbury delivered Mary while caring for her mother, Marilyn Elizabeth Riley Woodbury.  Mary attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Grade School, St. Joseph High School, and Bradford High School, where she met and maintained life-long friendships with her classmates.

Mary was a naturally born and talented caretaker from early in life.  At the age of nineteen, Mary was a primary caretaker of her very ill mother until her mother’s death.  Mary received her CNA certificate from Gateway Technical Institute in Kenosha and pursued further studies in RN training while holding down a full-time job.  Mary was employed by Brookside Care Center, giving a full-hearted effort to each and every patient.  Simultaneously, she invited her great friend, Grandma Evie, into her home during Evie’s last years of life.

Mary, then, accepted a position with Kenosha Human Services, providing for the needs of disabled adults within her home.  Each of those adults was treated as a family member sharing family excursions, especially much loved summer trips to The Parker Lake Cottage.  Later, Mary was employed by All Saints Healthcare and Hospice.

Mary found the love of her life when she met, then married, Patric Parker of Kenosha, who preceded her in death on July 27, 2023.  Mary and Pat resided in Somers, Wisconsin until September 2007 when they retired to Mountain Home, Arkansas, where, in Mary’s words, “We found our Paradise on Earth.”

Mary and Pat took up fulfilling hobbies.  While Pat hunted and fished, Mary prepared his bounty!  She gardened, canned, raised chickens, and established a small enterprise called “Parker’s Perfect Eggs.”  They became active members of VFW Post 3246, making life-long friendships.  Mary continued to make meals for neighbors in need.

Mary loved the Lord.  Her many charitable acts could best be characterized as humble.  Her charity toward others was intentionally subdued.  Additionally, Mary was an animal lover!  She served the community by working with a local veterinarian to reduce the feral cat population.  She loved her pets, both feline and canine, but particularly her dogs, Max and Sadie, and her cat, Mama.

Mary is survived by her son, Sebastian Parker, stepchildren Kurt (Heather) Parker and Arlinda Parker, grandchildren Gabriel and Sophia Aguilar and Daniel, Savannah, and Holly Parker.  Other survivors include siblings Cheryl (Wesley) Ladwig, Paul (Lezley) Woodbury, and Laura (Edo) Maccari, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  Additionally, Mary leaves behind life-long friends:  Mary Hoey, Liz Shemanske, and Anne Kelley.  Josh Willard’s love, friendship, and care for both Pat and Mary could never be repaid.  They thought of Josh as a son.  A special thank you from Mary’s family goes out to the many friends and neighbors in Mountain Home who stood by during both good and tough times.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Patric Parker; parents; Marilyn Elizabeth Riley Woodbury and Hollis (Wayne) Woodbury; and grandson Javiar Aguilar.

Mary’s family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses of Hospice of the Ozarks who gave Mary such exceptional care.