Mary Margaret (Gagnon) Parrish

Mary Margaret Parrish, age 92, of Shelby, Nebraska, passed away January 30, 2023 at Ridgewood Care Center in Seward.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Shelby with Pastor JoEllen Axthelm officiating. Musical selections will be “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Inurnment will be in the Shelby Cemetery. Luncheon will be at the Shelby Senior Center.

Mary Margaret (Gagnon) Parrish, one of six children of Eugene and Nora (Holmes) Gagnon was born June 8, 1930, in Morris, Minnesota.

Mary grew up on a farm near Vermillion, South Dakota, where she attended Vermillion High School. 

On December 20, 1947, Mary married Vernon Sullivan.  Together they raised 4 children while living in Auburn, Nebraska.  For many years, Mary ran a successful Amway business.

On March 23, 1974, Mary was united in marriage to Harold Parrish. Together they ran many successful businesses in several towns.  In the early 80’s, Mary and Harold settled in Shelby, Nebraska, where they ran Bernts Cafe for 10 years.  They also owned several rental properties.  Mary enjoyed her silk flowers and continued making beautiful bouquets all through her life. 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Sullivan, husband Harold Parrish, parents, brothers Darrell,  Lawrence, and Donny, sisters Viola and Lorraine, daughter-in-law Kathleen Sullivan, and great-grandson Cole Hamm.

Mary is survived by her sons Dan Sullivan of Papillion, Danny Mark and Donna Parrish of Gray Court, South Carolina, daughters Barbara and Jerry Howard of Falls City, Diana and Doug Thomas of Omaha, Nancy Samek of Rising City, Denise and Tim Reed of Lincoln, 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild: sister-in-law Lucy Gagnon of Hawarden, IA.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later.

Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg has been entrusted with arrangements.

dubasfuneralhome.com

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