Mary C. Deere, 67, of Winkelman, Arizona, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013.
Mary was born July 28, 1945 to Martha Frances Kelley and Wallace Edwin Crampton in Frankfort, Indiana.
Mary’s youth and education was spent growing up in Somerville, New Jersey. She attended Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina where she attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. She later attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina and received her Master’s Degree. Mary began teaching physical education at Cherokee High School in Cherokee, North Carolina (1976-1979).
She met and later married her husband, William, in October 1979. Her move to Arizona included teaching students at Phoenix Indian High School (1979-1987); Hopi High School (1987-1996).
Mary’s later desire in life was to teach children with learning disabilities. She returned to school and became a certified special education teacher. She worked first at the Hayden-Winkelman Middle School as its special education teacher (1997-2010). She then served as the director from 2010 until her passing.
Mary loved “doing things” for her family members. All her efforts and love came unconditionally. Her presence and love will be greatly missed.
Mary is survived by her husband, William; daughter, Kelley Olivarez (Marcelino); granddaughter, Marcelina Mairey Olivarez; brother, John Crampton (Frances); and nephew, Johnny Crampton (Leigh Anne).
Services were held at 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2013 at Griffith Mortuary, 101 Johnston Dr. Kearny, AZ.
Please visit the online memorial at www.griffithmortuary.com.
July 28, 1945 – April 13, 2013