Mary Dee Morrison

Mary Dee Morrison

1944-2015

Morrison, Mary DeeMary Dee Morrison’s more than 70 amazing years with us took her from rural Oklahoma to the streets of Manhattan, the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the wine country of northern California, and the family law courtrooms of Oklahoma City. Kind, loving and quick to smile, she was a friend to everyone she knew. She was greatly loved and will be sorely missed. She passed away on June 22. Born on January 8th, 1944 in the small town of Geary, Oklahoma, Mary Dee Morrison graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1965 with a degree in vocal music, which grew out of her love of singing. While at OSU, she made life-long friends as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She went on to travel to Japan to perform as a part of a USO tour of U.S. military bases there. Years later, she and her then husband took a little-known seafood restaurant on the New Jersey Shore and built it into a culinary powerhouse, earning accolades from publications ranging from the New York Times to Gourmet Magazine. Later, she would manage the famed Café des Artistes restaurant in Manhattan. After continuing her career in the hospitality industry both in Sonoma County and Napa Valley, California, Mary Dee moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, to be near family. She drew immense satisfaction and joy from helping others, and joined overseas Habitat for Humanity construction projects in China, Papua New Guinea and Argentina. She became a child’s rights advocate for the Oklahoma County branch of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) where she made a profound impact on the children she represented. She was on hand for the adoption ceremony for one of the children she helped, just weeks before passing away due to cancer.

Mary Dee also loved travelling, all things French, and her Irish Setter Molly.

She is survived by her brother Wesley and his wife Judy; nephew Ward Morrison, his wife Kirsten and sons Wyatt and Cooper; nephew Todd Morrison, his wife Kate and their son Kemper. She is preceded in death by her father Wesley Ward Morrison, Jr. and her mother Mary Ila Morrison. Mary Dee’s family is grateful for the love and support she received from friends during her illness. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, on 1001 S. Rankin Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CASA of Oklahoma County, 5905 N. Classen Court, Suite 302, OKC 73118, or online at www.okcountycasa.org. Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home.

5 thoughts on “Mary Dee Morrison”

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Dee was a great lady.

    Dorothy Wharton Riggs

  2. Nancy Collins Bennett

    Mary Dee was a favorite childhood friend and was just as warm and loving when I got to see her after 40 years of being apart. She added a lot of positive energy to this world and will be missed by many. She was quite a lovely person! She knew how to walk the talk and did it.

  3. Andrea Divine Manning

    My heart has been heavy and sadden with the news of this great lady’s passing. Best friends from 5th grade through high school graduation enveloped many special memories. Unfortunately our adult lives didn’t bring us back together until a couple of years ago on Facebook, for which I was gratitude. I only wish that I hadn’t thought that there was plenty of time in the future for us to get together. Mary Dee, you obviously made a statement during your short time on earth! God took home an angel, and now you are singing with His other angels.

  4. This week my mind has been filled with memories of growing up with Mary Dee in Geary Oklahoma. We shared Blue Birds, Camp Fire Girls, Camp Cimmaron, Church Choir, , Geary High School Band and Singing Chorus. We both attended OSU. I am glad that I attended our 50th high school reunion and revisited briefly. I wish I had followed up with visiting her in Edmond. I am in awe of her obituary: her work with Habit for Humanity and CASA were outstanding. Wish there were more people like her!

  5. Hi Wesley and all of Mary Dee’s Family. We are thinking of you. Mary Dee was extraordinary, and her obit was fascinating, as was she. She left the world a better and more exciting place. A Friend from Geary –so long ago. Sarah Frost Smith

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