Obituary of Mary Jewell Mahaffy

Coffeyville - Mary Jewell Mahaffy, 91, of Coffeyville, passed away peacefully at her home of 71 years on Monday, March 7, 2011, at her home. Mary Jewell was born January 8, 1920, in Coffeyville to Glenn Ertle and Easter Jewell (Yarber) Robb, Sr. She attended Coffeyville schools, graduating from Field Kindley High School in 1937, and Coffeyville Junior College in 1939. On January 30, 1938, she married Lorrence A. Mahaffy in the First Baptist Church Parsonage at Bartlesville, OK. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville where Mr. Mahaffy worked for the U.S. Postal Service in the Coffeyville Post Office. Mary Jewell had taken music lessons for many years from Ada Belle Morris, and expression lesions from Mrs. C.A. Diggs. She has been organist for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, First Christian Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church. She was the accompanist for the Montgomery County Rainbow Chorus for several years. In 1950 she traveled with the Chorus to Washington, D.C. where the group presented five programs for the Sesquicentennial Celebration, one of them being on the steps of the U.S. Capital Building with the United States Army Band. She was the accompanist for the Coffeyville Male Chorus in the 1950's, and has been active in playing the piano or organ for special occasions in Coffeyville for many years. Mrs. Mahaffy was employed at J. J. Newberry Company in 1936 and 1937.In 1952 she worked at Coffeyville Memorial Hospital for a few months, in November 1952 she became Church Secretary for the First Baptist Church; working there over 14 years. She later worked for Liebert and Liebert, Attorneys and bookkeeper for Erne Security Services. They traveled throughout the United State, Canada and Mexico, before and after her husband's retirement from the Post Office in 1973. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary January 30, 1988 with a trip to Hawaii. Mary Jewell was baptized May 12, 1929 at the First Baptist Church, 8th and Elm by the Rev. Earl Riney. She was a faithful member of this church and to her Lord and Savior throughout her life. She was Past President of American Legion Post #20 Auxiliary and a 65 year member, Past Chapeau of the Montgomery County Salon No. 575 of the 40 and 8, and Past State President of the National Federation of Postal Supervisors Auxiliary. She was a member of the CRMC auxiliary, Hillcrest Women's Golf Association, Salvation Army Auxiliary, former member of Cabane 1298-169 - La Societe de Femme, she was proud of retaining her card as a Honorary Life member of the USAF Air Defense Team and served on ground observer corps during WWII, she was a life time member of CMAC Auxiliary #1022 and National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). Survivors include two sons, L.A. "Larry" and wife Jeanie Mahaffy of Santa Clara, UT and James Henry Mahaffy of the home; one daughter, Mary Ann and her husband John Garner of Coffeyville; five grandchildren; Scott and his wife Megan Mahaffy of Denver CO, John Paul Mahaffy of San Diego, CA and Wendy Mahaffy of Seattle, WA, Donald and his wife Belinda Erne of Coffeyville and Rhonda Riley of Claremore, OK; five great grandchildren; Duncan and Joshua Mahaffy Denver, CO, Ashley (Erne) and her husband Cameron Ledford of Coffeyville, Sam Riley of Claremore, OK, and Billy Erne of South Coffeyville, OK and one great great granddaughter, Serenity Lee Ledford of Coffeyville. Mrs. Mahaffy is also survived by numerous step grand and great grandchildren and other beloved relatives and friends She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother, Glenn E. Robb, Jr. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Randall Terrill and Chaplain Mike Graham officiating. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call on Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The Family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church, Harry Hynes Hospice or charity of donor's choice; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Tagged as: First Baptist Church, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Restlawn Memorial Park