Mary McVay

Our beloved mother, Mary McVay, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 27. Mom was 96, formerly of Hedrick, and has most recently lived at the Manor House. Mary K. Black, daughter of Robert L. and Ora Kathleen (Putnam) Black, was born September 20, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a graduate of Des Moines Roosevelt High School in 1948. As a young woman, she spent many hours riding horses at Water Works Park in Des Moines. She enjoyed playing the accordion and worked at Younkers for a period of time. She took pleasure in her artwork as well as being the dance partner for the Val-Air dance instructor during her teen years. She then attended Drake University & Iowa Wesleyan College, and met Larry “Pete” McVay in 1950, and they were married on September 2, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa. They made their home in Ottumwa, Hedrick, Pella, and Trenton, Missouri, before settling in Hedrick in 1962. They remained in Hedrick until 1994 and moved to Ottumwa, and later to Fremont and to Oskaloosa in 2003. Mary has lived in Sigourney Assisted Living since February of 2016, and most recently, the Manor House in Sigourney, Iowa Mary was a member of Hedrick United Methodist Church and later the Fremont United Methodist Church, Women’s Groups within the Church. Past member of O.E.S. in Hedrick and Artist Club in Ottumwa, Iowa. Mary enjoyed her gift of being an artist, as she excelled in freelance artwork, having painted many portraits, and later enjoyed painting old barns. She won several Best Of Shows for her art and various competitions at Regional Art Shows, County Fairs, and the Iowa State Fair. Mary’s family includes her three children and spouses: Gary McVay of Libby Montana; Connie and Andrew Hansen of Des Moines, Iowa; and Rhonda and Mike Foubert of Delta, Iowa; her five grandchildren: Alyssa Fernandez; Michael ( Tawny) McVay; Hillary (Tom) Kinsinger; Chris Hansen; Jessica Foubert; and six great grandchildren: Benjamin & Evangeline Kinsinger, Elly & Ayden Stiller, and Maggie & Nellie Warden. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Larry “Pete”; one brother (stillborn), Robert Black; and one sister, Margaret Cowden. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Mike Sereg officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Tueday. Burial will be in Van Orsdall Cemetery near Ollie. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fremont Community Church.

Mary McVay

September 20, 1929 - November 27, 2025