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Rickey, Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth Rickey died Sept. 18, 2010, at The Woodlands located in The Meth-Wick Community. A memorial service in her memory will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, at Olivet Presbyterian Church, 237 10th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, beginning at 10:30 a.m., with luncheon to follow. The service will be led by the Rev. Sonda Kirsteatter.
Mary was born July 15, 1915, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Samuel Thompson “Thomps” Rickey and Mary Martha (Mattie) Brown, who passed away in 1963 and 1965, respectively. A brother and sister also preceded her in death.
She graduated from Washington, Iowa High School and Junior College. She also graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, in 1939 and held an M.A. from Columbia Teachers College, New York City, in 1949. She belonged to Kappa Mu Epsilon and Kappa Delta Pi educational fraternities.
She was a teacher for 40 years. She started in rural schools in Washington County. She taught in Wayland four years and Knoxville one year before coming to Cedar Rapids in 1945 where she taught mathematics at Roosevelt and Jefferson until retirement in 1979.
Mary was a longtime member of Olivet Presbyterian Church and served as an elder, deacon, financial secretary, president of Mary Steel Missionary Circle and president of the Olivet Women. She was also past president of the evening group of Church Women United. Mary served as president of Woman's Club, Cedar Rapids College Club, Westside WCTU and King's Daughters and Sons besides being treasure of Cedar Rapids Retired School Personnel.
Mary volunteered at ONE store, Linn County Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.
Mary had been a resident of The Meth-Wick Community since 2004, living in both the Manor and The Woodlands facilities.
Sue and Gary Speicher from Cedar Rapids were longtime friends and caregivers. They wish to thank her longtime friend Dona Naaktgeboren from Cedar Rapids for her many years of friendship and caring.
Mary donated her body to the University of Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to Olivet Presbyterian Church or The Meth-Wick Community.
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