Mary Delores Cochran's Obituary
COCHRAN, MARY DELORES COLEMAN Born March 1, 1918 in Waco,TX. Died in Dallas, TX on August 29, 2008. “Dee” Cochran, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and dearest of friends, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Dee, as her friends knew her, spent the first six years of her life in Waco and Weatherford, TX and then moved to Oklahoma City. She attended Classen High School, Oklahoma College for Women and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with one of the first radio/speech/drama degrees which supported her passion for stage and theatre acting. Dee also won awards of excellence in English, side saddle horseback riding and swimming. Dee married her best friend and college sweetheart, McKendree Thomas “Tom” Cochran, Jr. in 1939, and moved to Detroit, MI to begin their life together. World War II took them to Norfolk and Newport News, VA and later to Panama. After settling in Caldwell, New Jersey, Dee raised her family, worked on church building campaigns, was ordained an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, acted in amateur theatre productions such as “Our Town” and “Sabrina,” was a member of Junior League, and was chosen in 1957 to be a Blue Ribbon panel member along with Billy Graham for the Ladies Home Journal Forum on “Should Mothers of Young Children Work.” In 1958, Dee and her family moved to Dallas, Texas. As a Dallas resident and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church member for 50 years, Dee continued to show her love, care and friendship for family, friends and her community through participation in many organizations and projects including Church Circle Christian Women’s Club, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Greenhill Parents’ Association, theatre activities with the Dallas Theatre Center, The Vickery Meadow Learning Center, and other church activities. Her move to Dallas and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church made her the 1st woman elder in that congregation. She also used her training as a dyslexia language therapist to train, support and encourage children with dyslexia. Dee’s passion for stage and theatre continued with her creation and direction of the “Living Creche” presented every Christmas for 35 years at Preston Hollow. Dee did not know a stranger, and always had a listening ear, sage advice, love, care and support for all of her family and friends. Dee is preceded in death by her beloved husband, McKendree Thomas Cochran, Jr. and her mother, Mary Fountaine. Dee is survived by her daughter, Mary Chris Murray and long time friend, Dr. Dave Pendleton; three sons, McKendree “Ken” Thomas Cochran III, William Chesley “Ches” Cochran and wife, Lisa Potter Cochran and James Coleman Cochran and wife, Jill; grandchildren, Lisa Chesanek and husband Tyrone, Marke Murray and wife, Branden, Cindy Caryn Cochran and her long time friend, Charlie Johnson, Steve Cochran, Thomas Cochran, Charles Cochran, Catherine Cochran, Caroline Cochran and Ches Cochran, Jr. Great grandchildren: Morgan Murray, McKendree Chesanek and Rebecca Dee Murray; niece, Carol Cochran Debes and husband, Gerry, and family, and Dee’s extended family of cousins who were life her brothers and sisters. A memorial church service and reception in Dee’s honor will be held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, Septemer 2, 2008. A private graveside service for family members will be held earlier in the day. Memorials made in Dee’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society and to the Vickery Meadow Learning Center. Dee’s family wishes to extend their thanks, gratitude and appreciation to Hospice Dallas and all of her wonderful caregivers for their assistance and knowledge about cancer and how to care for a loved one during their final days.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?