Mary B. Hunt, 89, of North Platte passed away on Good Friday, April 7, 2023 at her home with her family surrounding her.
She was born on July 31, 1933 in North Platte, NE the daughter of William and Genevieve (Jeffers) Easton. Mary lived in North Platte her entire life and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School with the class of 1951.
In 1953, she married James C. Hunt at St. Patrick’s Church in North Platte. Mary loved her Catholic faith which resonated every day – her daily prayers helped heal many family members and friends.
She was very active at St. Patrick’s school and church; first as president of her class, president of the Altar Society, and teaching C.C.D. classes for many years. She was a member of both Holy Spirit Church and currently St. Patrick’s Church.
Mary was a pioneer in developing a program to assist children with special needs. She started the first Child Development Center in North Platte and became Director of the Child Development Center which integrated with North Platte Public Schools and the Opportunity Center. She also assisted in the start-up of the Jumbo Shop which continues to assist those in need.
In her free time, she loved taking pictures, watching and traveling to her kids and grandkids games or concerts, she was a member of the elite Belles room mothers club, an avid reader, garage sale expert, she loved traveling and flying with dad, and hanging out with Archie – her cherished dog. Mary was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great & great-great grandmother.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Mary White of North Platte, and Geni (Richard) Karre of North Platte; sons, Bill (Friede) Hunt of North Platte, Tom Hunt of Lincoln, Scott (Barb) Hunt of Lincoln, Alan (Karen) Hunt of Lincoln, David (Brandee) Hunt of North Platte, and Chad (Stacei) Hunt of North Platte; 37 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; daughter, Judy Hunt; son, James “Chuck” Hunt; and siblings Robert, William Jr., Richard, and David Easton, Geraldine Wood, Virginia Miller, and Bonnie Hickman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Kadaprayil as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements. Rosary prayers will follow at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for future tree and/or bench dedication.