Mary Ellen (Toombs) Dunphy, of Stockton, passed away on Oct. 7, 2023, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays at the age of 90. She was born on Feb. 28, 1933, to Homer Arthur and Mary Ellen (Green) Toombs in York, Neb. She was married to William Robert “Bill” Dunphy on Nov. 30, 1957.
Mary grew up in York, Neb., and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1950. She then attended Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D., and completed her registered nursing certification at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Neb. She began her nursing career at the VA Hospital in Grand Island, later transferring to St. Joseph / Via Christi in Wichita.
Mary loved to travel and shared many adventures with her husband Bill. Social gatherings were her favorite pastime, and her best friend from high school, Kathy, can confirm that her sense of humor was always the best making every gathering fun. She enjoyed visiting with friends, playing dice or card games and even a little dancing when the mood struck. Most Friday nights you would find her around the table playing Pitch with Alice, Rose and Henry, or whoever might be interested in staying up past midnight for that extra hand to break a tie. She especially looked forward to family time and learning the newest games during the nightly card sessions at the Toombs Reunion each June. She also enjoyed the occasional adventure to the casino with her Stockton and Wichita friends hoping for that lucky spin. She was an avid Cornhusker and Chiefs fan, cheering on her teams and then reporting to Cousin Nanci on whether Nebraska was “playing worth a darn.” German Shepherds were her choice of pet, Keeno and Bear being her favorites. She made sure Bear had a treat (or two) before turning into bed each night where surprisingly she allowed Coco the cat to also curl up. She loved playing piano, especially the Blue Danube, and in her younger days, she enjoyed singing in the choir.
She is survived by her nieces, Anne (Troy) Williams, Barbie Coghlin, Colleen Rondinelli, and Jan (Dave) Wesley; nephews, Jeff Toombs, and Jon (Bonnie) Toombs; eight great-nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Margaret Toombs; “adopted” grandchildren, Tyler (Gracie Dibble) Williams, Tristan Williams, Colton Williams, and Miranda (Jason) Knoll; and two “adopted” great-grandchildren, Lyndyn and Dottie Knoll.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Arthur and Mary Ellen Toombs; husband, Bill Dunphy; brothers, James “Jim” Toombs and Jon Thomas “Tom” Toombs; and niece, Jenny Simmons.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. A graveside service and burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in York, Neb. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home in Stockton.
Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic Church-Stockton and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. First, Stockton, KS 67669.