Mary Elizabeth McNees' Obituary
Mary Elizabeth McNees, 86, passed away peacefully January 12, 2017, in Richardson, Texas. She was born to Fritz and Mabel Welch Pantfoeder, October 14, 1930 in Highland Park, Illinois. At about age 14, Mary and her family moved from Highland Park, Illinois to Detroit, Michigan. Mary enjoyed spending summers visiting her maternal aunt Eloise in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In Detroit she attended Mackenzie High School and graduated in 1948. During high school she participated on the high school’s swim team and enjoyed working at a drugstore soda fountain. Shortly after Mary graduated from high school she moved with her family to Dallas, Texas. Mary joined a social club for tall persons called the Dallas Tip Toppers Club. As a club member Mary modeled and appeared in the Dallas Morning News for Titche-Goettinger’s department store to introduce the launch of a line of clothing specifically for tall girls called “Titche Talls”. Mary attended secretarial school and worked at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company until shortly before the birth of her first child. In 1952, Mary married her husband, Edwin “Donald” McNees, an attorney from Highland Park, whom she met at the Dallas Tip Toppers Club. Mary and Donald lived several places in Dallas until around 1957 when they settled in Richardson to raise their family. Mary and Donald were married 60 years. Mary dedicated time and energy using her sharp intelligence, excellent organizational and planning skills to being a homemaker. This included her involvement with activities for her children’s school, PTA, community projects, and Girl and Boy Scouts. Mary was known by her family and friends for her distinct laugh and clever humorous wit. She is preceded in death by her spouse, Edwin Donald McNees of Highland Park, May 13, 2012. Mary is survived by her two children and their spouses: Donna (James) Palmer of Denver and Brian (Peggy) McNees of Richardson; four grandchildren, Claire and William “Duncan” Palmer of Denver, Maura and Connor McNees of Richardson and her brother, Fritz W. Pantfoeder Jr. of Dallas. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Alice Paramo for the friendship and caring assistance she gave Mary over the past years. Mary will be greatly missed by her family and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts. As a big fan of Elvis Presley, the following quote is fitting for Mary: “Until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed me” Elvis Presley Funeral services will be held at 12:30 pm, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Restland Wildlwood Chapel with visitation 1 hour prior to the service starting at 11:30 am in the chapel. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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