1926
Mary
2015
Mary Lee Sparks
January 1, 1926 — September 30, 2015
Mary Lee Sparks (Lumpkin) passed away peacefully at her home on September 30, 2015, in Albuquerque at the age of 88.
Mary Lee is survived by her husband, John L Sparks; her children, John W Sparks II, Barbara Sparks Federico (Joseph), Christina Sparks Duncan (Woodson), and Anne R Sparks; her brother, Richard A Lumpkin (Ginnie Hawes); sister, Margaret "Peggy" Keon; and grandchildren, SolAne Sparks, Christian and India Federico, Ila and Byron Duncan and Zachary and Caleb Whitten. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her eldest daughter, Mary Aleta "Molly" Sparks.
Mary Lee was born on December 1, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Richard Adamson Lumpkin and Mary "Mollie" Hart Green. Her formative years were spent in Mattoon. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1949 with a degree in history and was a stewardess with Capital Airlines prior to her marriage to John L Sparks in St. Louis. The newlyweds moved to Albuquerque in 1953 where she loved the climate and the culture.
Mary Lee was an excellent cook and enjoyed gardening. She travelled extensively, embracing new and different cultures and opened her heart and home to countless foreign students and visitors. There was always room at her table for one more. Her indomitable spirit carried her and those around her through periods of challenge.
Mary Lee was very active with St. John's Cathedral serving on many committees and working at the thrift shop until shortly before her death. She served on the board of Accion for many years and quietly supported numerous causes in her community. She was a member of the Lumpkin Family Foundation where she served on the board as well as a term as president. Her philanthropy was shared with her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at Manzano Day School's library and at the Rehab Center for children with cerebral palsy.
Mary Lee had an especially great passion for hunting and cooking with wild mushrooms for many years and held various positions with the New Mexico Mycological Society.
She was beloved by her family and will be sorely missed. Her family would like to express their gratitude for all of the people who have helped so much through this difficult process. They would request that gifts in her memory be made to one of the following: Accion NM, 2000 Zearing Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 or the Cathedral Church of St. John's, 318 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
A memorial service in her honor will be held October 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral Church of St. John's, 318 Silver Ave. SW.
FRENCH - University
1111 University Blvd. NE
505-843-6333
Mary Lee is survived by her husband, John L Sparks; her children, John W Sparks II, Barbara Sparks Federico (Joseph), Christina Sparks Duncan (Woodson), and Anne R Sparks; her brother, Richard A Lumpkin (Ginnie Hawes); sister, Margaret "Peggy" Keon; and grandchildren, SolAne Sparks, Christian and India Federico, Ila and Byron Duncan and Zachary and Caleb Whitten. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her eldest daughter, Mary Aleta "Molly" Sparks.
Mary Lee was born on December 1, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Richard Adamson Lumpkin and Mary "Mollie" Hart Green. Her formative years were spent in Mattoon. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1949 with a degree in history and was a stewardess with Capital Airlines prior to her marriage to John L Sparks in St. Louis. The newlyweds moved to Albuquerque in 1953 where she loved the climate and the culture.
Mary Lee was an excellent cook and enjoyed gardening. She travelled extensively, embracing new and different cultures and opened her heart and home to countless foreign students and visitors. There was always room at her table for one more. Her indomitable spirit carried her and those around her through periods of challenge.
Mary Lee was very active with St. John's Cathedral serving on many committees and working at the thrift shop until shortly before her death. She served on the board of Accion for many years and quietly supported numerous causes in her community. She was a member of the Lumpkin Family Foundation where she served on the board as well as a term as president. Her philanthropy was shared with her children and grandchildren. She volunteered at Manzano Day School's library and at the Rehab Center for children with cerebral palsy.
Mary Lee had an especially great passion for hunting and cooking with wild mushrooms for many years and held various positions with the New Mexico Mycological Society.
She was beloved by her family and will be sorely missed. Her family would like to express their gratitude for all of the people who have helped so much through this difficult process. They would request that gifts in her memory be made to one of the following: Accion NM, 2000 Zearing Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 or the Cathedral Church of St. John's, 318 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
A memorial service in her honor will be held October 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral Church of St. John's, 318 Silver Ave. SW.
FRENCH - University
1111 University Blvd. NE
505-843-6333
Service Details
Saturday, October 24th, 2015, 10:30am, The Cathedral Church of St. John
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