Mary Evalena Harrington

Mary Evalena Harrington lived 96 years as a humble, kind, independent, and witty woman. She was born on August 28, 1926 in Carey, Texas to William (Bill) Spence and Ruby Ellen (Foust) Harrington, whom she lovingly referred to as Daddy and Mother.

Mary grew up and attended school in Carey, Texas and later attended Blair Business College in Colorado Springs, CO. She was an active member of the pep squad in high school, loved attending basketball games, and driving her Daddy's truck. She adored the clothes her mother would make her as well as her mother's cornbread. She developed her love for reading early in life and was often found with her nose in a book. Her fondest memory of her childhood was when she and her grandmother Harrington had found an injured bird. They took him in, bandaged his wing, and nurtured him until he was able to go free. Her love for birds and support for others carried throughout her life.

One of Mary's greatest aspirations was to learn to fly. She had done so secretly during her high school years. She was bookkeeping for Ragsdale Flying Service and in exchange for her work, she was getting flying lessons. She had 7 hours of flying under her belt when she went to her boss at her primary job, the bank. She asked if she could borrow enough money to help her get her license. Unfortunately, her boss told her Daddy and her Daddy "absolutely just wouldn't have it." He wanted his daughters to be ladies and at that time flying an airplane didn't fit under that definition.

Mary was the oldest of four sisters. Mary referred to her younger sister, Billie Jo, as her partner in crime. Mary said anything Jo could think of Mary would do. Wanda Lou was 9 years younger than Mary. Mary found Wanda a joy to be around and shared that Wanda always had a joke to tell. Nancy Lee, the youngest, was like a daughter to Mary. She was 21 years younger than Mary and was born after Mary had lost her first daughter, Carol Christine, in a stillbirth. Mary said, "it just felt like Nancy was mine."

Mary went on to have 3 more children with her first husband Harley E. White Jr. Phil, Marty, and Paula describe Mary as a caring and loving mother, who was a good listener, and could often find the humor in a situation.

Mary said her perspective on life was that "you take every day and make the best of it, and you help whoever you can along the way." She helped many others throughout her life from a variety of roles. As a professional, Mary served as an administrator at St. Francis hospital. After she retired, she served as a role model and house mom at sororities. Her greatest roles were as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, grandmother and great grandmother.

Mary believed "Life is a test, and you do the best you can on that test." Mary never got to take the test for her pilot's license, but she finally flew on her own when she got her wings as an angel on March 24th, 2023.

Mary is looking over her:

Sister - Nancy Testerman (Doug) of Hollis, OK
Son - Phil White (Pam) of Lubbock, TX
Daughter - Marty Tadtman (Jim) of Wichita, KS
Daughter - Paula Szuwalski (Kelvin) of Topeka, KS
Grandchildren - Cody Szuwalski (Eura) of Seattle, WA, Lacy Szuwalski of San Diego, CA, and Lauren Krause (Derek) of Taos, NM
Great-grandchildren - Evelyn Mary and Clara Elizabeth Szuwalski of Seattle, WA and Hayden Lee Hobbs of Taos, NM
As well as several nieces and nephews and their families.

A graveside ceremony will be held at a future date in Carey, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604-1374. Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

To leave a message of condolence for Mary's family, or to share a special memory of Mary, visit the guestbook below.