Mary Willa Dean Reynolds

Obituary
MARY WILLA DEAN REYNOLDS
ITHACA - Mary Willa Dean Reynolds, of 111 Dryden Road, Ithaca, passed away at the Cayuga Medical Center on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, at the age of 69.Born on August 10, 1935 in Rector, Arkansas, Dean was the daughter of Arnold Leo Stokes and Veda Lee Miller Stokes. Following graduation from Rector High School, with honors, in 1953, she was accepted by Memphis State. The degree from Memphis State enabled Dean to secure a position as a bookkeeper with Lane Central in Memphis, TN.On June 29, 1957, Dean married Roland J. Reynolds in Memphis. The couple traveled extensively as Roland's military career took them to many bases around the world. In these early years Dean was an active and vibrant member of the NCO Wive's Club, where she would sing in talent shows. These shows were often fund-raisers for the needy. Dean's creative ideas and sincere desire to help others earned her the position of advisor for the base commander at Ramie Air Force Base in Puerto Rico for many years. Dean painted a number of magnificent paintings while stationed in Germany. She was also well known for her wedding cake masterpieces. Dean took great pride in making each cake a one-of-a-kind. She eagerly shared the art of cake decorating with family and close friends. Dean had a sincere love of life.For many years Dean serviced faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, until she started feeling the effects of Huntington's Disease. She suffered from this progressive disease for many years. In more recent years, Dean found comfort in reading, and listening to CD's.Dean is survived by her husband, Roland J. of Ithaca; one son, Richard J. of Grapevine, TX; one daughter, Kimberly Reynolds of Ithaca; one brother, Leo Stokes of Tipton, IN; and three granddaughters, Paige Tiffany Reynolds, Aubrey Ann Reynolds, and Kennedy Bridget Reynolds.The family will be present to receive their friends at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Pennsylvania Ave., Trumansburg, on Friday, December 10, 2004, from 7 to 9 p.m.Services will be held at the church on Saturday, December 11, 2004, at 2:00 p.m.In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dean's memory may be directed to HDSA Center of Excellence, C/O Amy M. Chesire, University of Rochester, 919 Westfall Road, Bldg. C, Suite 220, Rochester, NY 14618.The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446. www.ness-sibley.com.