Mary (Filley) Burri died peacefully at age 99 on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. She was born on November 27, 1918 in Baldwin City, Kansas, the daughter of George and Ina (Dixon) Filley. They moved to Kansas City where Mary and her sister could attend college. Mary attended Kansas State University where she studied dietetics. Little did she know that sewing and creating clothing would become her true calling. Mary learned to sew from her mother but she maintained that she was not a "good student".
Mary's grandfather served in the Civil War and her father was in World War I. When World War II came along, Mary felt that to hold up the family tradition, she would have to enlist and enlist she did, in the US Navy. Mary served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 where she met her future husband, Dave Burri. Mary and Dave were married on June 23, 1944 in Vero Beach, Florida. Dave served in the Navy 30 years which meant that Mary and her husband moved 29 times from Florida to Tennessee to Newfoundland and everywhere in between.
Mary discovered that she did indeed enjoy sewing and being a home maker. She instigated and formed little sewing clubs on bases where she and Dave were stationed and shared techniques and sewing skills with her fellow Navy wives. They survived on low pay and tight budgets by sewing, sharing fabrics and remodeling "last year's clothes".
Mary was always busy; she worked in a variety of positions, such as Montgomery Ward Catalog Dept., teaching sewing for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, substitute teaching in public schools (homemaking, of course) and church activities and civic groups.
Mary was always the optimist. A smile and helping hand to everyone. She enjoyed working with colors, fabrics, texture and even bead work. A new adventure was always an exciting new challenge. Even getting her driving license in below zero temperatures in Maine so she could survive while Dave was stationed in Malta.
When Dave retired from the Navy, they decided to move to Dave's home state of Wisconsin. Mary surprised her in-laws when they offered her limburger cheese and she said she was very familiar with it and it was one of her favorites! Dave and Mary enjoyed dancing and weekend evenings found them dancing the night away at several of our area dancing establishments.
Mary is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dave; sister, Carol Filley in infancy; and her sister, Dorothy (Pete) Rockers.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 714 24th Street in Monroe. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery following service. A luncheon will be served at the church, following service. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Mary's grandfather served in the Civil War and her father was in World War I. When World War II came along, Mary felt that to hold up the family tradition, she would have to enlist and enlist she did, in the US Navy. Mary served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 where she met her future husband, Dave Burri. Mary and Dave were married on June 23, 1944 in Vero Beach, Florida. Dave served in the Navy 30 years which meant that Mary and her husband moved 29 times from Florida to Tennessee to Newfoundland and everywhere in between.
Mary discovered that she did indeed enjoy sewing and being a home maker. She instigated and formed little sewing clubs on bases where she and Dave were stationed and shared techniques and sewing skills with her fellow Navy wives. They survived on low pay and tight budgets by sewing, sharing fabrics and remodeling "last year's clothes".
Mary was always busy; she worked in a variety of positions, such as Montgomery Ward Catalog Dept., teaching sewing for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, substitute teaching in public schools (homemaking, of course) and church activities and civic groups.
Mary was always the optimist. A smile and helping hand to everyone. She enjoyed working with colors, fabrics, texture and even bead work. A new adventure was always an exciting new challenge. Even getting her driving license in below zero temperatures in Maine so she could survive while Dave was stationed in Malta.
When Dave retired from the Navy, they decided to move to Dave's home state of Wisconsin. Mary surprised her in-laws when they offered her limburger cheese and she said she was very familiar with it and it was one of her favorites! Dave and Mary enjoyed dancing and weekend evenings found them dancing the night away at several of our area dancing establishments.
Mary is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dave; sister, Carol Filley in infancy; and her sister, Dorothy (Pete) Rockers.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 714 24th Street in Monroe. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery following service. A luncheon will be served at the church, following service. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.