Mary passed away peacefully in her home on March 17, 2015, after a short illness. She was born February 18, 1927 to John & Sylvia Huston in Erie, Kansas and raised in Parsons, Kansas. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mary had two loves of her life. William D Hopper, Sr. whom she married in 1947, spending 44 years together. To this union three children were born Bill Jr., Pat and Peggy. Bill Sr. passed away in 1991. She shared seven years with her second love, Rudy Stretesky. They shared many memorable trips and wine and cheese. Rudy passed away in 2009. Two wonderful chapters of her life. Mary was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. She volunteered for many organizations, including Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Catholic Church, Mercy Hospital, Convention and Visitors Center, Senior Citizens Center and the O'Reilly Cancer Center. Mary's hobbies included reading in the sunroom, playing with her Maltese, Caesar, and having her hair and nails done. Her favorite travel destinations were Rome, Italy and Spain. Mary is survived by her sister Martha Huston Hoefling; her children William "Bill" Hopper Jr. (Jo Belle), Margaret "Peggy" Jinks (Stan) and Patrick "Pat" Hopper, all of Springfield; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The Stretesky family includes Joan Swartz, Janis Gideon, Joe Stretesky, Jill Claywell and Jaye Kerr. Also, Mary and Bill's lifetime good friends, Clyde and Darlene Rodreick. A special family thank you to her caregivers and especially Bev Koe for her continuous comfort during her illness. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E Seminole. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2200 W Republic Rd, Friday, March 20, 2015 at 11:00 am with Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy celebrant. Burial will follow at the Springfield National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, at Mary's request, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W Norton Rd, Springfield MO 65803.
