Mary Eugenia Merry

Mary E. Merry, 89, of Plymouth, lived a physically active, positive, grateful, but challenging life, exemplified through a quiet faith, sacrifice and hard work.  And though her McGuckin stubborn spirit enabled her to overcome most of life’s obstacles, on August 30, 2020, her once fit body finally succumbed to the ravages of the Alzheimers she endured for over 15 years.

Born on November 30,1930 in Lisbon, ND, Mary McGuckin was a natural achiever, an innately curious intellect with a penchant for mischief,  who was always “in motion” and thrived on being active and outdoors. While earning her B.S. in Education at UND, Mary was “swept off her feet” upon meeting Ray Merry on a blind date arranged by her Tri Delta Sorority sister, who “not only failed to mention how good-looking he was, but also forgot to disclose his festive last name.” She married her adoring college sweetheart in 1951, which subjected her to a lifetime of “explaining/spelling” her name alliteration, Mary Merry.

Jennifer (“honeymoon baby”) arrived nine months after their wedding, as both new parents graduated with education degrees, Ray finished his military service out-of-state, and Mary taught school. Within a couple years, along with their growing family, Mary was a constant presence courtside as Ray taught/coached high school basketball in the MN small towns of Magnolia, Goodhue and through his pinnacle 1964 MN State High School Basketball Championship in Luverne. Though Coach Ray and his “Merry Men” were predicted to be a perennial state powerhouse, Mary and Ray found it necessary to relocate their family to Minneapolis for continual treatment of daughter Jeanne’s osteogenesis imperfecta challenges.

Mary became adept at juggling the all-too routine medical appointments, education, research, sleepless nights, and 24/7 care/monitoring required for Jeanne’s care, laced with numerous hospitalizations, worry and concern. Leisurely lunches, shopping excursions, date nights and family vacations were a rarity. Baking and exercise kept her grounded. An impassioned, devoted mother, Mary fostered a value for education, a thirst for life-long learning, and a strong work ethic in her 4 children. As she tirelessly managed the individual struggles of both of her two youngest children, each with different special needs (along with the typical teenage needs of her two oldest), she nurtured in them a fierce independence, perseverance and a belief “that disabilities shouldn’t define, deter or contain you.” She continually advocated for changes in an era when mobility and developmental disabilities were misunderstood or dismissed, and morphed into “mother bear” mode when confronting educational  roadblocks, and insensitive, judgmental people. Throughout those years, she was too practical and time-strapped for selfpity. She never complained.

The independence she instilled in her children permitted a return opportunity to teach; for 18 years she relished teaching ESL at Hennepin Technical College. Elated to be a grandmother, she actively engaged with her grandchildren, and simply loved cheering, encouraging, and supporting them in their respective activities and lives.

Retirement years were divided between MN and a residence, first in AZ, then in SC, and finally, in The Villages, FL., where she participated in her favorite outdoor activities; golf, walking, biking. Most passionate about her competitive swimming, she took uncharacteristic pride in displaying the numerous awards/medals she won in her age group. She continually swam laps well into her mid-eighties, until she was no longer able to stave off her Alzheimers.

Mary is survived by daughter, Jennifer (Randy) Koski of The Villages, FL.; sons, Bruce (Anne LaFrance) and Robert; granddaughters, Marissa (Mark) Ray and Bri (Andy) Dunbar; grandson, Griffin; granddaughter-in-law, Liz; 9 great-grandchildren, ages 3 yrs. to 11 yrs.; sisters, Kathleen Peterson of CA and Jo Greene of FL; brother, Jim McGuckin of CA; sister-in-law, Ruby Johnson of FL; many nieces/nephews. Ray, her cherished husband of 66 yrs., loving daughter, Jeanne, and special grandson, Graham, preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be private, along with private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the MN-ND Alzheimer’s Association.