Mary Elaine(Berthold) Morrison

Mary Elaine (Berthold) Morrison passed away on June 17, 2010 at Aberdeen Village, Olathe Kansas. She was born Dec. 3, 1921 to Fred and Myrtle (Williams) Berthold in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in St. Louis and met Jim Morrison at a Valentine's Day dance in 1941. They married January 6, 1942 and settled in Ocala, Florida, where her husband taught night navigation for the Army. Their first child, Elaine, was born in Ocala. After the war, they moved back to St. Louis, where their second daughter, Kathleen, was born. They moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1950, and later to Overland Park, Kansas, where they resided for many years before moving to Aberdeen Village.

As a homemaker, Mary's life revolved around family. She loved to garden, visit the country and her house at the Lake of the Ozarks. She enjoyed painting and her watercolors won several awards. She was a member of the ETMA Home Extension Unit for many years. As a long time member of Overland Park Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday school. In the 1970's she was a member of the Church Without Walls, and later joined the Colonial United Church of Christ in Prairie Village.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Morrison, her parents, and her sister Jean Coggeshall.

She is survived by her daughters, Elaine Shelby (Mick) of Shawnee, Kathi Cook (Jim) of Prairie Village and five grandchildren: Lance (Angela) Shelby, Chris (DeAnn) Shelby, Peter (Melissa)Cook, Tristan Cook, and Jamie (Emily) Cook. Mary has six beloved great-grandchildren: Alexis, Austin, and Jackson Shelby; Cameron and Caleb Shelby; and Chloe Cook. She also is survived by her brother, Fred Berthold, Jr. of Hanover, New Hampshire, and her sister Judy Feid of Granville, Ohio. She kept the sparkle in her eyes and her sense of humor to the very last and she will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to Doctors Without Borders (333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10001), The Colonial Church Outreach endowment, or to a charity of your choice.