Westphalen, Mary Lynne

Mary Lynne Westphalen died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following a short illness. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, at First Congregational Church in Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Bob David officiating. A time of fellowship will follow at the church. Private burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mary Lynne Morris was born Nov. 22, 1943, in Cedar Rapids. She was the daughter of Merlin E. and Mary Jeanette (Focht) Morris. She married Brian M. Westphalen on July 17, 1965, at First Congregational Church in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Drake University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Theta Sigma Phi and Mortar Board honor society. Professionally, she was Lifestyle editor of The Gazette and a vice president of Jefferson Davis Associates, Inc.

Mary was appointed to the City Planning Commission and the Free Enterprise Commission. She was a member of the Junior League of Cedar Rapids, the Marvin Cone Art Club, Wednesday Shakespeare Club, Indian Creek Questers and was a lifelong member of First Congregational United Church of Christ.

In addition to her husband, survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Westphalen of Johnston, Iowa; a son, Peter (Melinda) Westphalen of Cedar Rapids, and their three children, Jonah, Emma and Mara; a sister, Martha (Robert) Nash of Omaha, Neb.; a brother, M. David (Lisa) Morris of Cedar Rapids; her father-in-law, Milton Westphalen; her sister-in-law, Marcia Pattillo-Crowe; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left by visiting  under obituaries.

Published Dec. 25, 2011, in The Gazette