TORRINGTON – Memorial services for Mary Ann Carey, 91, will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Marty Rostad officiating. Mary passed away on Aug. 20, 2017 at Heritage Estates in Gering, Neb., and cremation has taken place. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences can be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.
Mary lived at the Mitchell Care Center Assisted Living in Mitchell, Neb., after years of calling Torrington her home.
John Milton once said, “Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eyes, in every gesture, dignity and love.”
No truer words could be spoken when we reflect on the life of our mother and grandmother, Mary Ann Carey. Mary Ann Lawler (Vaughn) Carey was born July 5, 1926, in Wheatland. She was the eldest of four daughters born to John W. and Nellie Jane Lawler. The family moved to New Amsterdam, Mo., for a time. After the death of her father, her mother relocated her family back to Wheatland. In 1944 she married Randall Vaughn. During their marriage she celebrated the birth of four children: Randall E., Tana Jeane, Joseph Michael, and Lura Lynette.
Mary later married Leo W. Carey and to this union she was blessed with two more children: Barbara Sue and John Wayne. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.
Mary took pride in spending countless hours preparing homemade meals and baked goods for her family. Her family celebrations were met with delicious treats prepared with heartfelt love. She believed in the 4-H mission of actively engaging youth to reach their full potential, and assisted youth in obtaining their focus areas of: “Head, Heart, Hands and Health” as a volunteer 4-H leader in Platte and Goshen counties.
Mary was a gifted quilter and over the years made sure that each of her loved ones received beautiful, one-of-a-kind works of art, delicately sewn by her hands. For many years Mary ran a home day care, and every child in her charge became a part of her heart and family, and she loved each of them very much.
She had a fondness for gardening and canning and believed that fresh vegetables served at meal time was a display of her love for all that were welcomed to her table, and the flowers she grew on her land were a sweet reminder that spring had come and summer was near.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her brother L. Murry Cooley; sisters Annie Alkire, Sarah Mercer and Nellie McReynolds; husband Leo; son Joseph Michael; four grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is survived by her children Randall (Polly) Vaughn of St. Anne, Ill., Tana Oskendahl of Scottsbluff, Neb., L. Lynette (Edward) Delcamp of Greeley, Colo., Barbara (Kenneth) Hennings of Hemingford, Neb., and John (Johnna) Carey of Torrington; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given in her name to the Wyoming CASA Network (1725 Sheridan Ave #134 in Cody, WY 82414) to assist child victims of abuse and neglect in Wyoming’s foster care system. Her legacy of love will forever be remembered by all that knew her.
