Mary Worcester, also known as Marilyn “Mary” June Maxine (Maupin) Worcester, passed away peacefully December 30, 2023, at the age of 87 in Hill City, Kansas. She was born June 23, 1936, on the farm north of Antelope Lake, near Morland, Kansas, to Charles Courtney and Essie Lydia (White) Maupin. Mary was a beloved member of her community and will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.
Mary was described as the epitome of sweetness. She had a kind heart and a generous spirit, which endeared her to everyone she met. She made it very easy for everyone to love her. She leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that will be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Mary's educational journey began at a country school north of Antelope Lake near Morland, Kansas. She then attended public schools in Morland, Kansas with two years at Morland High School and then two years at Hill City High School, in Hill City, Kansas, while providing nanny services to the Chipman family. She graduated from Hill City High School in May 1954. After graduating from Hill City High School, Mary was married to Don Worcester September 5, 1954. Mary also pursued outreach classes in bookkeeping through Colby Community College.
Throughout her life, Mary dedicated herself to raising her children and later found employment at Shields IGA in town. She then spent 27 years working as a bookkeeper and clerk for The Farmers Lumber Company of Hill City, Kansas. Mary and Don also owned the Pomeroy Inn for many years in Hill City, which she considered her pride and joy. At the Inn, she baked extraordinary homemade cinnamon rolls for the guests and the local community before heading to work at the lumber yard. Mary saw the inn not only as a business, but also as a mission to help people. She often provided accommodation for needy families and individuals, who had been referred to her by the Hill City Ministerial Alliance, without any cost.
Mary's faith played an important role in her life. While raising her family, she and Don attended the Hill City Christian Church. Later, she re-established her affiliation with the Methodist Church, attending services and finding solace in her faith during her husband's long illness.
Outside of her professional life, Mary had a variety of hobbies and interests. She actively participated in local elections and served as a Graham Township Trustee and a Hill City Township Treasurer at one time. Following in her father's footsteps, she valued politics as an important aspect of daily life. Mary also enjoyed family activities, baking, cooking, sewing, and raising chickens while selling eggs to people in town. As a farmer's wife, she embraced the hard work that came with harvest time each year.
She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Maupin; her mother, Essie Maupin; brothers and sisters-in-law: Elwin and Birdie Maupin and Dale and Ann Maupin; sisters and brothers-in-law: Imogene and Leo Garrison, Coralie and Otto Keith, Redonda and Don Patton; and brothers-in-law, Norman Brandyberry, and Archie Edgell. She was also preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband, Donald "Don" Worcester; brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Helen Worcester; sister-in-law, Lola Worcester; and brother-in law, Barton “Bart” Morse.
Mary is survived by her five loving children: Sherri Worcester (Dale Gillman) of WaKeeney, Terry (Sandy) Worcester of Flagstaff, Arizona, Larry (Jody) Worcester of rural Hill City, Karri (Jim) Sisk of Norton, and Perry “PJ” Worcester of Santa Fe, New Mexico; two sisters, Phyllis Brandyberry and Charlene Edgell, both of Dawson Place, Hill City; brother-in-law, Charles Worcester, of Cheney, Kansas; and sister-in-law, Katherine Morse, of New Braunfels, Texas; nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Mary Worcester will forever be remembered for her sweet nature, generosity, and love for her family and community. Her legacy will continue to inspire and touch the lives of those she leaves behind.
At this time, no memorial service will be held. However, a remembrance and visitation with family members is planned for the spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any charitable donations be made payable to Dawson Place Nursing Home at 208 W. Prout Street, Hill City, Kansas 67642 and can be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642