Obituaries

Mary Dean Sawyer

Photo of Mary Dean Sawyer
Mary Dean (Hardsocg) Sawyer died on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mrs. Sawyer is survived by her husband, Bob Sawyer, her brother Martin L. Hardsocg, her daughters, Christy Estes (Mark) of Bella Vista, Laurie Stuart (Gary) of Ottumwa, Iowa, Meg Green (Grant) of Springdale, Mandy Broadstreet (Frank) of Fayetteville, as well as 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mary Dean was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on August 13, 1937 to Helen Dean (Locke) and Lt. Col. Martin B. Hardsocg. After graduating from Ottumwa High School in 1955, where she excelled in athletics, she attended college in Kirksville, Missouri to pursue a degree in physical education. In 1957, while employed at John Deere Ottumwa Works, Mary Dean met and married, Bob, the love of her life. While in Ottumwa, Mary Dean was a member and Sunday School teacher at Trinity Episcopal Church, volunteered for the Eisenhower and Horace Mann PTA, served as a Brownie troop leader, golfed, bowled, gardened and, at the end of the day, enjoyed her beer time. In 1985, when Bob retired, they relocated to their home in Bella Vista, Arkansas where she was named Bella Vista Ladies Golf Pairings Chairman and joined St. Theodore's Episcopal Church. Her interest in genealogy would lead to her membership into the Daughters of the American Revolution and her role as treasurer and chaplain of Colonial Dames. Mary Dean was adored by her family including fur babies: Linky, Sam, Ebony, Jazz and Pumpkin. Additionally, her loss will be felt by birds, squirrels, chipmunks and underdogs everywhere, all of whom she cheered for, nurtured and loved. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, December 22nd at St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista followed with inurnment in the church's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Bella Vista Animal Shelter, 32 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, Ark. 72714, Circle of Life Hospice nwacircleoflife.com or St. Theodore's Episcopal Church, 1001 Kingsland Rd, Bella Vista, Ark. 72714. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published December 21, 2017

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