Mary Urrey Shook, age 92, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2022 in Wimberley, Texas.
She was the only child of Dorothy and Curtis Urrey of Hope, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Billy Dorsey and Marvin Shook, grandson Shane Whitaker, and great-grandson, Holden Spencer. Mary is survived by her two daughters, Ann Zbylot and Mary Whitaker, their spouses Philip Zbylot and Larry Whitaker, grandchildren Brook Zbylot and spouse Heidi Eberhardt, Alana Zbylot Barnett and spouse Todd Barnett, Kashi ZbylotBelisle and spouse Ian Belisle, Jessica Whitaker Spencer and spouse Justin, Jill Whitaker, and great-grandchildren Reese and Drew Whitaker, Coral and Teddy Barnett, Elina Belisle, and Farah Eberhardt-Zbylot.
On June 13, 1930, Mary was born, then spent her childhood and teenage years in Hope, Arkansas. Hope is a small town, and according to her, she couldn’t wait to get out! After High School and World War II, Mary attended Tyler Junior College, where she met then married her first husband Billy Dorsey with whom she had two beautiful daughters, Mary Lynn and Ann. A few more loving husbands passed through Mary’s life, which was wonderful. Eventually, she moved to Austin in the 1970’s, worked at Southwestern Bell/ATT, made some wonderful friends and colleagues; but most importantly got to watch and participate in the lives of her daughters and grandchildren.
Church and her faith were a large part of Mary’s life. She loved singing in the choir, and being a part of Sunday school classes, she helped with volunteer activities, completed the Walk to Emmaus and again, made more friends. A life-long Methodist, she was a member of Lake Travis United Methodist Church.
Mary loved people and made many friends. She was the initiating force for all family birthdays. She was also famous for bringing plenty of sweets and presents for all. Mary kept in touch with long lost cousins in different parts of the country for years. She was smart, funny, and always worked hard. She had an abundance of kindness and empathy. In later years, Mary volunteered for a number of charitable causes, including the Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.
She will be missed, and remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wonderful friend, and beacon of positivity and joy wherever she went.
Burial services will take place in Hope, Arkansas August 5, 2022. A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at the Lake Travis United Methodist Church, on Saturday September 10, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, Mary asked that you make a donation to the Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to Bluebonnet Palliative Care and thank them for the loving care they brought to Mary.
