Mary Read Stanley, aged 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Roaring Fork Senior Living in Glenwood Springs, CO, surrounded by her daughters. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Richard Walton (Dick). Mary is survived by her children: Cliff, of Kentville, NS, Canada; Claire (Kirk) VanHee, of Wolcott, CO; Gail (Jonathan) Lewis, of Eagle, CO; and Craig (Julia), of Madison, WI. She was a proud grandmother to Olivia, Nathaniel, and Georgia Stanley; Kate (Marty Schaffer), Kelly (Matthew Dillon), and Kendall (Jacob Kordich) VanHee; Helen and Parker Lewis; Edward (Ned), Mary, and Eve Stanley; and a doting great-grandmother to Huck Schaffer.

Born on March 17, 1931, in Milwaukee, Mary graduated from Milwaukee Downer Seminary and Mount Holyoke College. She married Dick in 1954, and the couple soon moved to Milwaukee. Mary’s love for gardening, the outdoors, and natural history travel shaped much of her life. She was deeply passionate about rock gardens, woodland gardens, unique plants, and propagation, which were reflected in the stunning gardens she created and maintained. The Northwoods of Wisconsin held a special place in her heart, serving as a cherished gathering spot for her and her family. Mary was also a lifelong learner and a dedicated volunteer, serving as a teacher-naturalist during the early years of the River Edge Nature Center.

Mary’s adventurous spirit and zest for life were evident in her many remarkable experiences. At the age of 85, she snorkeled with seals and turtles in the Galapagos. At 86, she soared above the Busanga Plain, observing elephant herds from a hot air balloon, and at 88, she flew in a single-prop plane over the beloved Northwoods lakes. She was also an active member of several gardening organizations, including the Green Tree Garden Club, St. Paul Garden Club, and the Garden Club of America, through which she formed lasting friendships. A private memorial will be held with her family at a later date, and memorial donations may be directed to the organizations Mary cherished.