Mary Lenore Campbell Render, died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at 101.5 years old at Merrill Gardens in Anthem, Arizona where she had resided for the past three years.
She was born June 2, 1922, to David E. and Loretta Kelsh Campbell in Dougherty, Iowa, the fifth of eight children.
Mary was a classy and courageous young woman, heading north from her beloved hometown of Mason City, Iowa to the big city of Minneapolis for new adventures, which included being hired as a stewardess for Northwest Airlines in 1945 even though she had never been in an airplane! She had a wonderful but short career at NWA which ended when she married Capt. Ralph J. Render at Holy Family Church in Mason City in 1947; married women were not permitted to work as stewardesses at the time. She and Ralph were married 56 years and raised four children.
Mary was a devoted wife and a dedicated and loving mother who always had the most positive attitude, fun sense of irreverent humor and infectious giggle. She had a strong Catholic faith which guided her life. She was smart, had a phenomenal memory and was a lifelong learner who embraced the various opportunities that presented themselves. She enjoyed her summers at Lake Sylvia and winters in Scottsdale, where she was an avid hiker, having completed two trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon after age 70. She was a very sociable person and preferred to be surrounded by lots of people and made friends wherever she went. She was a fantastic bridge player and hostess. She never complained about hauling her kids to all kinds of activities and was adamant that each would graduate from college, even though she did not have the same opportunities. She was a very grateful person who aged gracefully without complaint even after there were many justifiable reasons, as life took its toll starting at age 98.
Mary is predeceased by her husband Ralph, her second husband Richard Orr and all of her seven siblings.
She is survived by her children, Susan Van Lier, Tom (Jane), Jim, and Shari (Tim Miller) and her six grandchildren, Hilary Van Lier, Heidi Van Lier, Alexis (Joe Kordes), Kathleen (Andy Pacini), Jack Render, Anna Render, and three great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Carolyn Campbell.
She will be missed by many whose days she brightened just by being her kind self. Special thanks to Charlotte Kingsbury, Gladys Wilke, Nedra Dorman, and Jeanie Araman and her other loyal friends, as well as Molly Moore, N.P., and the staff at Garden House/Merrill Gardens who provided excellent care and love to Mom these past few years.
A celebration of life Mass and reception will be held Saturday, April 27, at noon at St. Patrick’s Church, 10815 N 84th St, Scottsdale, Arizona.
A gathering will be scheduled at a later date in Minnesota.
Please remember Mary with a smile and be grateful for something, in her honor. Rather than flowers, the family requests memorials to the Arizona Friends of Talking Books or another charity of your choosing.