Celebration of Life Services for Mary E Saville, 77, of Lawrence, will be at 10:30 am Saturday, February 08, 2025, at Big Springs United Methodist Church 96 HWY 40, Big Springs KS, meal to follow.
Mary passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Pioneer Ride and Asend Hospice, surrounded by her Daughter Mary Argo (Paxton) and a friend.
She was born September 23, 1947, in Grinnel IA, the daughter of Don Saville and Kathleen (Fleming) Saville. She graduated from Washington High School in 1967 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She moved to Lawrence in December of 1994 from West Branch, Iowa with Mary Argo (Paxton).
Her first 6 years in the work force were spent as a staff member to Iowa Congressman John Culver. Culver was to spend 10 years in the House of Representatives and 6 years in the U.S. Senate. Working initially in Iowa and eventually in Washington, DC, Mary honed her writing skills supporting Senator Culver in the areas of Constituent Services and Press Releases. Mary spent 3 years with Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Program of Education and Social Policy in Cambridge, MA, 10 years with the National Center for Economic Alternatives in Washington, DC, and then her last project working on the start up of a new organization which was designed to bring the intelligence and expertise of business leaders to the issue of national security called Business Executives for National Security (BENS). In 1983 Mary moved back to Cedar Rapids. She found God in 1986 Mary has served as a Certified Lay-Speaker in the United Methodist Church.. Her family and church were her life’s work. To her fellow “pioneers” Mary says: “To Pat Faubert, Tim Queen, Shauna Hieber, Scott Reynolds, Larry Adams, who came from Iowa and are still with us today and to Rita Bidwell, who joined the initial Kansas staff, you should be proud of what you have achieved. In 1995. Mary has been involved in raising her Daughter. Mary was married (October 16th 2010), almost in sync with the end of her career with the company, Mary indicated that having the opportunity to raise a child was one of her greatest challenges and rewards. “Watching a child grow and develop speaks to our hope for the future. We try so hard to get it right and at some point you need to set them free and trust you have done enough. Of course prayer helps a lot.” She “I loved to read. collect books. She love to read about people, why they are the way they are. What was it about their life and times that caused them to turn out as they did? She also love Giraffes.
Other survivors include a daughter, Mary (Tom) Argo, Lawrence, Kansas; a grandson Liam Argo Lawrence, Kansas;, 2 nephew’s John (Piper) Saville of Lawton OK and Rev Steve (Anita) Saville of Paullina and several nieces and cousins.
Mary is joining a long list of family and friends that have passed she is seeing her parents, 2 brothers and sister. Most important God and Jesus.
A meal will be provided after the celebration of like at Big Springs UMC.
Mary, my heart is with you and Tom and Liam. So much pain, but also LOVE. Stay strong, ask for help, remember that grief and joy are not incompatible – you can carry them both.
So very sorry for your loss. My father, Howard Hildenbrand, was the treasurer at Stull UMC for many years. He enjoyed Mary’s fellowship at Disciples Bible Study and on church financial matters.
Mary and family, We were so sorry to hear about Mary passing. She was a wonderful friend and fellow believer. I loved working with her at Bethany. She was so much fun to be around. Always a smile , joke or a timely word for others. She will be missed, but she is now with Jesus. No more suffering and pain. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to fellowship with her. Love, Bonita and Tim
Mary,Tom, & Liam & rest of Saville family & friends. Mar was my cousin, but so much more. She was a fun, loving, caring person! Kwik whitted, & never missed a beat. She will live on in our memories. T
She loved her family! I remember when I was young, there was so much laughter when Mar was visiting! Fly high dear cousin, til we meet again! Mary, Tom, Liam your in my thoughts & prayers.
Mary, Tom, Liam and Saville Family and Friends, I am so sorry for your loss of Auntie Mar. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Sending love and hugs to you all. Auntie Mar, fly high, you are free… All my love to you.