Mary Reed, 85

Independence, Mo. — Mary Elizabeth Reed, age 85, of Independence, Mo., passed away, Feb. 16, 2010, at her residence. Services were held Feb. 20, 2010, at the Carson Speaks Chapel and burial was in Mound Grove Cemetery.

Mary was born Nov. 2, 1924, in Blue Earth to Dennis and Thea (Johnson) Shay. She grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Blue Earth High School before moving to Independence in the 1940s. She had first worked for the telephone company and then supported the war effort by working at Lake City Ammunition Plant and later worked for the Independence School District. She retired in 1989 as cashier of the nutrition center at Independence Regional Health Center where she had worked since 1968. She was a member of Messiah Luth-eran Church and was also a Girl Scout leader.

She was married to Daniel Reed on June 20, 1946.

Mary is survived by her son, Danny Joe (Gay) Reed, of Troy, Mo.; daughters, Dennice (Dennis) Lovercamp, of Grain Valley, Mo., Doraee Reed and Darla (Mike) Cardenas, both of Independence, Mo.; brother, Marcellus (Pat) Shay, of St. Paul Park, Minn.; grandchildren, Jeff (Jessica) Reed, Julie (Darren) Francis, Brett (Jamie) Reed, Tony Lovercamp, Melissa (Shawn) McKinley, Danielle (Eric) Lares, Dustin Reed, Kirsti (Jon) Rubino and Michael J. (Jessica) Cardenas; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998.

Donations may be made in her name to American Heart Association or to Messiah Lutheran Church, 613 S. Main St., Independence, Mo., 64050.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com

Arrangements were by Carson-Speaks Chapel.