Mary Marcine Bloomer
1926 – 2020
Mary Marcine Bloomer died Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Mary was born in Mulberry, Kansas, May 12, 1926, to the late Arthur William and Lena Vessadini Olson. She was raised on the family farm at the corner of Midwest Boulevard and Covell in Edmond. She attended Arcadia High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1946.
Mary had often taught as a substitute prior to her graduation, and continued as an elementary teacher at Arcadia while attending Central State College. In 1947, she married Jack W. Bloomer, a teacher at Arcadia High School. Their only child, Mary Christina, was born the next year.
Mary had a long and distinguished career in education. Beginning at Arcadia, she taught in Edmond for several years, then Oklahoma City Public Schools. She was one of the district’s first special education teachers, writing the curriculum for the various programs as they were developed. Although the classroom was her first love, Mary served as consultant and coordinator for Oklahoma City’s special education program for many years. She also taught at Oklahoma City University and provided professional development for hundreds of teachers over the years.
Mary B, as she was called, continued to serve others after her retirement, She taught Sunday School and served her church as pianist for several decades. She was a faithful and loving witness to God’s grace.
Surviving are her daughter Christina Kiser and son-in-law Dean Kiser, and one much loved grandson Russell Kiser and family, wife Julie and daughters Mary Lena and Cara Rose. She is also survived by her youngest sister Donna Suenram, and husband Charles. Preceding her in death are brothers Dr. Arthur Louis Olson and Dr. Carroll Daniel Olson and sister Dr. Anita Olson-Netherton.
Until dementia ebbed the life from Mary, her talents were many and varied. She played a great boogie woogie piano. Her cooking is legendary. Her creativity and patience brought the light of learning to hundreds of students. She will be missed. The family extends its deep appreciation to the staff at Dorset Place Memory Care and Physicians Choice Hospice. Their compassion and guidance will always be remembered.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be provided to Boys Ranch Town, 5100 E. 33rd, Edmond, 73013 or Grace Rescue Mission, 2205 Exchange Avenue, OKC, 73108.
Services, due to the current CDC restrictions, will be private with burial at Arcadia IOOF Cemetery.