PACK, Mary L. (Metcalf)

In Loving Memory Mary Lou Pack, age 96, died peacefully on February 10, 2011. She was the oldest of four children, born August 2, 1914 in Hooker, Oklahoma, to Dayton Preston and Beatrice Buckley Metcalf. She had many vivid memories of the Dust Bowl storms in the Panhandle of western Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha and was a talented pianist. Mary Lou married Homer J. Risen and following their marriage they moved to Panama where Mr. Risen worked as an engineer on the Panama Canal. After his sudden death she returned to Oklahoma City with their daughter, Henrie Bea. She began a career that included working at the State Capitol, in the courthouse and for business newspapers. After the war ended she married Vernon J. Pack, and from this union they had two children, Patsy and Vernon Bruce. Mary Lou later founded the Reno Meridian News, a monthly business paper that she edited and published for 15 years. She was a 50-year member of the Chapter BF, PEO. She was a devoted Christian and loved the First Christian Church in Oklahoma City. Most important to her were her faith and her family. She is preceded in death by her husbands and a son, Vernon B. Pack. She is survived by two daughters, Henrie Close and Patsy Willis, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, and a sister, Anne E. Watts of Atlanta. One of her personal gifts was her extremely positive and loving attitude which she passed on to those around her. Appreciation is especially expressed to those who cared for her at Warr Acres Nursing Center. Family graveside services will be held at 1 PM on February 17, at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee.