Mary Lynn Harr went to be with her Lord after a very long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Sincere and light-hearted, she loved her family and friends with her whole heart. She loved to laugh, tell jokes, hear jokes, arrange flowers, play with children, pet animals, go to church, eat hamburgers, type letters and hug friends.

Mary Lynn lived a very full and fascinating life. She, her mother and father were all state employees over the years, and her father served in the State Legislature as a Representative from DeWitt County. She practically grew up in the State Capitol building and loved the stairs and grounds. In those days, it was a very peaceful place. Mary Lynn and Scottie Gail Stevenson were both Mascots of the House of Representatives (Children of the Representatives and Senators) and both were the heads of the Mascots. Mary once joked she was a "tiny Diplomat and Politician."

She graduated from Austin High, Class of 1950, and married a handsome Marine and moved to California. Later she began a fascinating career. Well-educated and articulate, she was asked to help write and narrate the specs being written for the U.S. Minesweepers during the Korean War. She joined the U.S. Bureau of Ships and eventually handled the paperwork for the dry-docking of ships coming in for repairs.

In 1960 she was hired as Recruiting Secretary for the man who bought the San Diego Chargers football team, for which she typed Recruiting Papers until 1963 when she returned to Texas. Back in Texas she was employed for many years with the State of Texas and was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the State. She helped draft interagency contracts between state agencies and subsequently worked for the University of Texas.

Mary Lynn was most proud of her capacity to love. She loved cheering others, making someone laugh, and making them happy. She always expressed great thanks to her friends for their love and all they have done for her. Her network of friends stretches from coast to coast.

Mary Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Lena and James Young, her brother, Glenn Young, and her sister, Bobbie Packard. She is survived by step sons, Bob Harr and his wife Jan of Austin, Gary Harr of Dallas, niece Beverly Pantuso in California and great niece Kathy Packard of Houston, dear friends (sisters of the heart) Virginia Park and Rosanne Becker and their husbands, her dear church friends, the Martha Circle, Ann Lane (‘ole school buddy), Melissa and Jeff Shaffer of Baltimore, her many friends at Village Christian Apartments and all who loved her as she loved them. Through the years, she participated in the Adopt-a-Grandparent program and touched the lives of so many who brought so much joy to her and she in turn to all of them.

A graveside service will be held at Austin Memorial Park on Sunday, July 3, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at University Presbyterian Church at 2:30 p.m.

Mary Lynn leaves the following requests to the world: Love one another; live peacefully with all mankind; show love, kindness and calm.

Her wit, humor and love will be greatly missed but always remembered by all who knew and loved her.


Source: Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home North, Austin, Texas