Mary Leona Trotter, long time Wichita resident, passed away May 11, 2011.
Born in Woods County Oklahoma she graduated from Hardtner High School and attended Northwestern State Teachers College and Fort Hays State College. As a child she aspired to become a teacher. That ambition was realized when she taught in the Medicine Lodge and Sun City rural areas of Kansas. There she met and married her husband, Frank M. Trotter. Answering the call to Arms, Frank went to the service. When he returned home they made their home in Wichita. They lived the remainder of their lives here.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, her parents, her brother, Vernon, two sisters, Vivian Young and Elaine Gauld, two nephews Mark Gauld and Rev. Jim Gaitin. Three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law also preceded her in death.
Survivors include 2 sisters, Jean (Dwight) Flowers of Wichita, and Dorothy Young of San Antonio, TX.
An avid reader, Mary kept abreast of word events. She enjoyed many hobbies that included crafts and cooking. Her involvement with Eastern Star and HDH club were special pleasures during her earlier years. Watching Shocker basketball games was a high priority this year. Close matches were not always good for the heart, but great for her soul was her theory. Having no children of her own, she and Frank were very involved in the lives of their nieces and nephews. That also included the children & their friends. Those relationships are still alive and well. Evidence is the many miles they have traveled to visit her during her lengthy hospital stay.
During her hospitalization she was blessed with the love and support of the neighbors, her pastor, the Rev. Tom Oak and the congregation at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. Her Christian faith has been the greatest joy in her life. Prior to her December accident, she lived independently in her own home. She always credited her medical team for making that possible. Dr. Joseph Mruk, his assistant, and Dr. Joanna Tran gave her the necessary guidance and care to accomplish that.
A Funeral Service will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Old Mission Mortuary.