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BORN
1952
DIED
2024
Mary Dickinson Obituary
Mary Katherine Dickinson
December 1, 1952 – August 15, 2024
Mary K. Dickinson, 71, of Lincoln, passed away on the 15th of August in the care of Grace Space Hospice in Lincoln. Mary was born In Omaha to her parents Winifred (Towey) Breeding and Earl Jr. Breeding on December 1, 1952. Mary and her sister Betty lost their mother at an early age and were lovingly raised by their aunts, uncles and fourteen cousins in Omaha.
Mary attended Mercy High School in Omaha and graduated from Hastings Saint Cecilia in Hastings. Mary graduated from University of Nebraska Lincoln with her undergraduate degree and Master degrees in Education and Literature.
Mary was a life long teacher and during her forty three years of education Mary had the opportunity to teach at Pius X, Waverly High School, UNL School of Journalism, Nebraska Wesleyan, Doane, and SCC. For twenty plus years Mary however taught at her first love Lincoln High School. There she embraced the rich diversity of its hallways and the vibrant cultural mix that existed there. Mary taught American Literature, Multicultural Literature, and Creative Writing, among others. Mary encouraged her many students to not only to do better but to be better. Go out and make a change, make a difference that was Mary's message. Mary applied that in her own life trying to elicit change where there was injustice. Giving a voice to those who that often had no voice and making sure that people listened to what they had to say. Mary often said "I have the perfect job I get to go to work and talk to kids."
Mary loved to travel and spent many months over the years on the beaches of Costa Rica and Ecuador escaping the cold of Nebraska. She was always ready to head south as soon as the weather turned.
Mary was a long time member of the NAACP Lincoln Branch and its secretary from 1992 to 1999. Mary was also a member of Nebraskans for Peace a coalition of committed Nebraskans who fought for the freedom of Ed Poindexter and David Rice. The two Black Panthers in Omaha that were wrongfully prosecuted and convicted of a crime they did not commit in 1971.
Mary is preceded in death by her mother, Winifred Breeding; father, Earl Jr.; sister, Betty Hurt; step-mother, Betty Hagel; and step-brother, Jim Hagel. Mary is survived by her long time partner, Bob Doris of Lincoln; her nieces: Stacey Tkyrakoski of Omaha, Sarah Rose Weir of Omaha, Adam Hurt of Omaha; and fourteen grand-nieces and nephews. Her step-brothers: Mike Hagel and Chuck Hagel; as well as Mary's Moon Women of Lincoln.
Mary will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew her.
There will be an interment on Friday 30, 2024, of August at 1:00 PM at the Cemetery of the Holy Sepulcher 50th and Leavenworth in the Veterans Section. A celebration of life is planned in the future.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Dickinson
Amanda Gershon
May 24, 2025
I missed this at the time but Mary Dickinson changed my life. She was that one teacher who really reached me in high school. I was an angry Gothic kid and she saw the fire and the independence in me. She turned that angst into advocating. My first protest at 16 led by her. I was the face of medicaid expansion in Nebraska and honored to cosponsor the ballot initiative. I've been a community advocate and social justice advocate since going on disability. She saved me again all those years later because my life after disability (I thought my life was over at 32) she gave me skills. Rusty, Nebraska Appleseed trained me well. In all of my 10 years of community service and advocating Mary Dickinson is who inspired it. My crazy 16 year old dreams are coming true. She encouraged my lofty goals. I wish she was here to share and be able to talk as peers now. But her memory is alive and I know she is with me in spirit. She could have ignored the rare Gothic kid back then but she saw that I could be productive with my anger instead of exploding, spiraling. Truly saved me from a dark fate.
Leanne Mulligan
January 17, 2025
Good teacher!! Great person. I saw her at a Wesleyan graduation. She was one of mind! She will be missed!!
Kathleen Dubas
September 25, 2024
I celebrate the beautiful life of sweet Mary. She was like no other. She gave much of herself to so many individuals making a positive and lasting difference in this world of ours. We love you Mary. May you rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Bob and to all of Mary´s family and friends.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Dubas
Matt Norsworthy
September 7, 2024
So Sorry to hear of Mary's passing, my heart goes out to her love ones, and Bob Doris in particular
Jane Sullivan
August 30, 2024
RIP Mary..... long time friends.......
Kathleen Maynard
August 30, 2024
Mary and Bob were our neighbors. Mary was an avid walker and I could always count on a wave or chat when I was out working in the yard. I always looked forward to seeing her smile.
Janie Powers Williams
August 29, 2024
Mary taught me at Pius. She made an incredible impression on me. She was warm, caring and a wonderful teacher. I just tan in to Mary a few months ago and it was so good to talk with her. Condolences to Bob and to all of her family. Fly high, Mary.
Stephanie Mohr
August 29, 2024
Such a beautiful soul. She touched so many lives with her kindness, knowledge and grace.
Sandra (Folts) Van Arsdall
August 29, 2024
I was a student of Ms. Dickinson´s at Waverly High School in the 80´s. She was a favorite of mine. You could tell she cared deeply for many things and I felt like she cared about me as a person. She was kind. I felt like she loved her job and sometimes high schoolers can be tough! She always had a sense of humor. This world will be a little less joyful without her. But she made a difference, yes she did.
Sara Wolter
August 28, 2024
Mary and I taught together at Pius X High School and we also worked at the Lincoln horse races together. We continued to meet with another friend/ co-worker for lunch for many years and I always looked forward to her return to Lincoln from the warmer climes she loved so much. As a teacher, I learned an incredible amount from Mary and I can't express how much I appreciated her wisdom. It is with gratitude and sadness that I write this message of condolence for Bob and her family.
Peggy Olson
August 28, 2024
As parents of three Lincoln High grads and as a humans living in Lincoln we had the gift of seeing Mary´s kindness, generosity and tenacity in action. Whether it was with students, at countless NAACP Banquets or her tireless efforts to free political prisoners, Mary´s impact is immeasurable. With love and gratitude,
Peggy Olson and José Soto
Michelle Hamnett
August 28, 2024
She was the epitome of a teenage girls aspirations, independent, kind, beautiful, inclusive, teacher, example of a modern girls dream in the 70´s and stayed through to the end
Paula Rezek (Jensen)
August 28, 2024
I am so sad to see this. Ms. Dickinson was my favorite teacher. It's been over 20 years since I had her, but I still hold on to so much she taught me. Everything about her was welcoming. She taught me how to see things around me a little bit different and I am forever thankful for that. May she be at peace now.
Margarita Lisak
August 28, 2024
Mary was one of my preferred clients. She always smiles and kindly every time she stops in the Bank branch. We practice Spanish together because she loves goes to Ecuador. I going missed her.
Bob and family in my prayers
Scott Shafer
August 28, 2024
I am so sad to hear about this. Mary worked with our agency for years, helping with our Chief Standing Bear events. She was so dedicated to honoring the legacy of Chief Standing Bear. We could always count on her to pitch in and help out greeting attendees in such a warm and gracious manner. She will be greatly missed and in my thoughts as we do our 2024 event.
Shari Grant
August 28, 2024
A long time friend. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and past students.
Deborah McGinn
August 28, 2024
Love to Mary´s family, friends and students. She was my teacher in high school at Pius X, and we taught English at Lincoln High. She made a significant and positive impact on my life.
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