Mary Louise Hipsher Seely


Mary Louise (Hipsher) Seely, 85, found her way home Sunday, September 28, 2008, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Born in 1922 in Flora, IN, she spent the Great Depression years working in her family's business at the Rainbow Cafe. At 17, she eloped with her soda fountain sweetheart, Eugene Hipsher, quickly learning the skills of managing a home. The couple had two daughters, Sondra in 1941 and Jane in 1951. Gene's work landed the family in Albuquerque, where Mary worked for Dillards Department Store (formerly Fedway) for 17 years. Widowed at 46, she found a reserve of determination she hadn't known before. Two years later, after a whirlwind romance, she married Bob Seely, who had also been widowed young. She acquired three more children in the deal: two sons, Bob and Mike, and a daughter, Trish. The best years of her life were ahead for her as she and Bob would eventually retire and travel the country in their RV. She especially enjoyed serving coffee to truck drivers they would meet at their campsites. A lifelong dog lover, she enjoyed miniature pinschers in her travel years. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Robert Seely; daughters, Sondra Abarr, and husband, Greg, Jane Palmer, and husband, Charles, and Trish Miller; sons, Robert Seely, and Mike Seely and wife, Dawn; sister, Josephine Condo; 11 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Friday, October 3, 2008, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Graveside Memorial Service will take place Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:00 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. A lunch reception will follow at El Pinto Restaurant, 10500 4th St NW. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 9500 Montgomery NE Suite 209, or to the charity of your choice.

French Mortuary
1111 University Blvd. NE
(505) 843-6333
www.frenchmortuary.com

Published in the Albuquerque Journal (NM) - October 3, 2008