Mary L. McAtee

Mary L. McAtee (nee Lightfoot), 93, of Elyria, died Wednesday April 30, 2025.  She was born July 29, 1931 in Elyria, and a 1949 graduate of Elyria High School.

After high school, Mary attended Cleveland College and worked as a secretary for Music Corporation of America, a theatrical booking agency that afforded her the opportunity to meet a variety of famous artists and celebrities.

Two years later, seeking an adventure, she and a girlfriend boarded a train and moved to Albuquerque, where Mary again found secretarial work.  She joined an astronomy club, a caving club and learned to ride a show horse for the New Mexico State Fair.  The adventure finally ended - the girlfriend got married and Mary returned to Cleveland.

Back home, Mary took a job with the May Company in the advertising department.  She met and married Marlin Jay McAtee of Columbus and continued working for the May Company and for Taylor’s Department Store as an advertising copywriter.

After the birth of their son, Mary left Taylor’s to focus on raising the baby. The couple separated in 1963 and Mary found work as a substitute teacher in North Ridgeville.  She completed her Bachelors of Education degree at Ashland College and began teaching 5th Grade at Fields Elementary in North Ridgeville and Windsor Elementary in Elyria.  She retired from Elyria City Schools in 1991.

Active in retirement, Mary was a member and past president of the Lorain County Retired Teachers Association.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women educators.  Mary raised orchids in her home greenhouse and was a member and past president of the West Shore Orchid Society.  She was a volunteer with the AARP Tax-Aide program, serving first as a tax preparer and later as District Coordinator in charge of tax sites around the county.

She also made time for pleasure, going on several ocean and river cruises during retirement, and making visits to Europe and Russia.  Always an avid reader, Mary had her Kindle filled with mystery novels.

Mary is survived by her son, Glenn McAtee of Powell; her brother, James A. Parsch, and a host of nieces and nephews who knew her as “Aunt Lu”. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy H. Parsch (nee Snyder); father, Arthur J. Lightfoot; sister-in-law Frances M. Parsch and cousin, Barbara A. Watts.

Friends will be received Monday, May 12, 2025 from 10:00 am until the time of an 11:30 am service at Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 323 Middle Avenue, Elyria with Reverend Kathryn Ketchum officiating.  Burial will follow in North Murray Ridge Cemetery, Elyria Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Elyria Public Library System.

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