Mary Lake of the Sherman, TX area passed away on January 21st of 2026.

She was born in 1939 in Carnegie, Oklahoma.

Mary was a beloved Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister-in-law, daughter, niece, and granddaughter.  She was preceded in death by her husband Harry as well as her parents.  She is survived by her 5 children, 4 children-in-law, 16 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.  Mary is also survived by 2 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, 1 aunt, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mary's life was defined by overcoming loss and providing comfort and joy to her family.  She lost her own mother when she was only 2 years old and was raised both by her father and her maternal grandparents near the small town of Eakly, Oklahoma.  She also learned critical life lessons from her Godmother: "Ma" Inkanish.

Mary's grandparents and father taught her the great work ethic and love of family that are vital to farm families.  They also taught her that every member of the family is important and needs to be included in all family activities.  Ma Inkanish was a Lakota who taught Mary the importance of having pride in your family and honoring family traditions and histories.

After high school, Mary attended Oklahoma State University.  On a chance meeting, she was the girl in the pink sweater that Harry Lake noticed – and could not forget.  Both being from farms near small towns in western Oklahoma, it seemed destined that they should fall in love and marry, which they did in 1958.

Shortly before their marriage, Mary's father became ill with cancer and died soon after Harry and Mary were married.  Fortunately, Harry's family quickly included her in their rowdy clan that included Harry's parents and all five of his younger brothers.

Mary's work life was wide-ranging: from picking cotton and helping on the family farm as a young woman, to being a data analyst for several large retail companies, and then back to tending gardens at their home in the Sherman area.

Harry and Mary raised 5 children over the years.  Harry was often called to be out of town on business, and Mary was left to be the parent to children that ranged across 12 years – no one was ever better suited for such a demanding role.  Her one constant rule was that family comes first.  By losing her own parents at such a young age, she was determined that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren should know unconditional love, the comfort of family, occasionally some discipline, a solid education, and the joy of spending time with a large extended family.

Even as her children grew, Mary ensured that she read to her youngest children each night until they mastered the skill of reading to her.  This included excusing herself from entertaining a gathering of managers from Harry's work at her home to read "The Wind in the Willows" and a story of "Happy Jack Squirrel " to her children.

Harry and Mary often invited folks from Harry's company who had travelled to Dallas from faraway places so that they could enjoy a home cooked meal and to attempt some conversation over the noise produced by a growing family.

Over the years, Mary spent much of her time being a chauffer, cook, maid, nurse, mother and friend to all of her children, all of their friends, and to her numerous nieces and nephews.  She was always a vocal supporter of every endeavor her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren attempted: dance, FFA activities, band, cheerleading, and sports.

Mary also believed in exposing her children and grandchildren to the arts.  She often attended operas, musicals, plays, and concerts in the company of her children and grandchildren.  It was not unusual for her to have a half-dozen young people in-tow to see a musical or play.

At the same time, she had no qualms about repairing fences, feeding cattle, or helping to prepare cattle, pigs, or chickens for show for a child or grandchild's FFA project.

Harry and Mary were able to travel throughout much of the US after Harry retired from the corporate world and became an instructor for various seminars. Oftentimes, they would include their grandchildren in these adventures – taking side trips to see distant relatives, explore vacation spots, and see historical sights.

For many years, her little dog "Porkchop" shared in these adventures as well.  In addition, Porkchop was known to growl at any child or grandchild that attempted to rouse Mary from a brief nap in order to ask an inevitable "can I…".  Despite all of the activities that Mary and Harry had, Mary rarely missed a recital, sporting event, or stock show that her grandchildren participated in.

Every one of her grandchildren knew the joy of "camp Grandma" for a couple of weeks in the summer when the grandchildren enjoyed breakfast picnics at the lake, fishing with grandpa, chores in the garden, swimming in the afternoon, and watching movies as they laid down in sleeping bags in front of the television.

After 65 years of marriage, Harry passed due to a stroke in 2023.  Although Mary put on a brave face, it was obvious that her world would never be the same.  She still insisted on celebrating each and every milestone with her family, but the loss of Harry was overwhelming.  In her last days, she was granted the great gift of knowing that her time was coming and insisted upon all of her family coming to see her to say goodbye in a last family get-together.  Just a few days after the goodbyes, she passed peacefully in her home.

Her passing will be difficult to bear.  However, her family will always have the cherished memories of her and her devoted husband Harry.

She was a kind and gentle soul, known for her unwavering love of family and her generous heart.  Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, and acceptance.  She carried a true mother's heart – one that nurtured, guided, and embraced all who entered her life.

Throughout her years, she taught by example: the importance of loyalty, the strength found in compassion, and the joy that comes from loving without reservation.  Her legacy lives in the stories she shared, the traditions passed down, and the deep bonds she helped create within her family.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that she is reunited with all those she loved who passed before her.  Her kindness, wisdom, and warmth will be remembered always.