Mary Lee McKee

McKee, Mary Lee, 84, a phenomenal wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, civic volunteer, husbands partner and best friend, was born July 16, 1925, to Thomas Lee Taylor and Neva (Pickrel) Taylor in Colby, KS. She died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, after a prolonged series of health problems. She was preceded by her parents, a grandson, Michael Barrett McKee, and sister, Julia Wandt. She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, George M. McKee, Jr.; children, Mike (Judy) McKee, Tom (Joan) McKee, Kathy Raymond, Coleen (John) Dougherty, Charlotte (Don) Steffens; 16 wonderful grandchildren; 4 great-grandsons, and sister, Joanne Bretz. Mary Lee was the consummate grandmother and great-grandmotherparticularly playing games with them. Outside of her loving, caring family relations, she was the ultimate volunteer. Mary Lee especially loved flowers and gardening, although she did participate in other volunteer activities. She was a former member of the Kansas State University Alumni Association Board of Directors; was instrumental in starting Botanica and a member of the first Board of Directors; was Past President of the Kansas State Garden Clubs; State President of the Kansas Council of Flower Show Judges; a Master Flower Show Judge and judged at the Kansas State Fair; a member of the Wichita Park Board and the Colby Tree Commission. She was a 57-year member of P.E.O., having served as President of both Chapter CE in Colby and Chapter CI in Wichita. Mary Lee was one of five leaders starting the Thomas County Day Care Center and its first Chairman. For many years she was Chairman of the State Wild Flower Committee, selecting and recommending to the Governor the Wild Flower of the year. The last Garden Club position which she held was as Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the National Garden Club including eight statesNorth and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, only resigning after a long illness. Visitation with the family, 6-8 p.m., Friday, March 26, Downing Lahey West. Services, 2 p.m., Saturday, March 27, West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N. Westlink. Viewing, 2-8 p.m. with family present from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, March 28, Harrison Chapel in Colby. Graveside service, 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 29, Colby Cemetery. Memorials to Botanica, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203 and Thomas County Historical Society, 1905 S. Franklin, Colby, KS 67701. Visitation with the family, 6:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, March 26, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Viewing, 2:00-8:00 P.M., with family present from 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, March 28, Harrison Chapel in Colby, KS. Graveside service, 10:30 A.M., Monday, March 29, Colby Cemetery, Colby, KS.