Mary McDonald Obituary

If I had to sum up Carrie, I would say that she had a real lust for life, and that she lived it well and to the fullest. She possessed a keen eye for beauty, a desire for near perfection, and a profusion of curiosity about the world around her. She was extravagant and generous. Her nature was unceasingly kind and welcoming. Upon any guest that entered her home she bestowed a seemingly effortlest and natural lavishness of hospitality. And she was one of the strongest people I've known, showing enduring and unequaled toughness and courage in the face of adversity. She was a classy lady.
Carrie loved flowers. I have never seen anyone get as excited about receiving flowers as she did, whether it was a humble bouquet from a backyard or a grand display from a florist.
I learned so much from her: how to properly prepare and cook asparagus; how to arrange (and rearrange) a room so that the eye moves naturally through it in the most pleasing way; how to firmly yet gracefully negotiate on the phone with sales representatives; how to always present oneself as strong and confident and competent and caring -- even when one feels less than adequate; and, finally, how to fight the good fight every single day, until the end.
She was my mentor and a superb role model for how to be socially engaged with the world. She was my confidante, and sometimes she was my therapist. She was my dear, dear friend and I miss her terribly.
She will continue to live on in my heart and my mind, as she truly is, for me, a touchstone. For matters both banal and dramatic, she will be there. When I am at a low point and needing to shine a light in the darkness, or, conversely, when I am at a high point and wanting to celebrate in style -- invariably I will turn to her in my head. I will ask myself, "What would Carrie do?" And I know (thank you, Carrie!) -- I know I will find within myself a most excellent answer.

I did not know Mary and probably never met her but I did know her face...almost as I knew her sister Paula Kellogg. Paula was my home room and English teacher both years at USD 343 PMS. My thoughts are with you and yours Paula. Oh you were right all those years ago... my handwriting WAS to bad to get into med school... so I went in to computers and farming instead. ;)

Carrie was a dear friend to me and to my late wife Sarah. Our friendship began during the years we spent together in KU's Humanities & Western Civilization program, and continued and deepened in our retirement years. Carrie's liveliness, sharp and creative mind, and warm caring for others made her a delightful and cherished presence for all of us. Over the past several years Carrie and I got together regularly for a meal and conversation. We talked nonstop about everything, sharing our lives, our interests, and family news with each other. She always remembered my birthday, and in mid-August, with her health and energy seriously declining, she sent chocolates delivered by good friends. I love Carrie as one of my dearest friends, and I'm feeling deeply saddened and a bit overwhelmed by her passing.
My heartfelt condolences to Carrie's surviving siblings, to her sons Bill, Tom, and Bob and their families, and to her friends and helpers Janet and Mary.