Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Mary Lightfoot Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Lightfoot
Sharon Ford Schattgen
December 12, 2003
Jack and Laura: Your mother was a wonderful person and an exceptional educator. She taught us to be musicians (no easy task, in some cases!), but she also taught us life lessons. Because she wouldn't tolerate anything less than our best work, she inspired us to achieve more than we ever thought we could. She also helped us to value music and performance on many levels and to be responsible members of a team. And, she taught us how to learn from our mistakes and do a better job the next time around. I feel so fortunate to have been one of her students! I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jayme Gabb Smith
December 10, 2003
Dear Jack & Laura,
I feel I would be remiss if I did not add this thought. I can not remember hearing of a time before or after that the town of Slater was so proud as it was when Mary's band was 120 strong and No.1. I believe that at that moment in time, we were all touched by greatness.
Jayme Gabb Smith
December 9, 2003
Dear Jack & Laura,
I can't begin to tell you the impact your family had on my life. Your mother gave me a chance to be a twiller in the "big" band. That was a dream come true. She even trusted me to lead it after a couple of years. I had a great deal of respect and I must admit an equal amount of fear of her. I loved to watch her direct. Her eyes would dance and light up and you could feel the emotion in her. It was a time in my life that this Salter High graduate will never forget. We were lucky to have her for the time we did in Slater, and I am sure every school has felt the same. God Bless You and Yours as you begin to fill your hurting hearts, with all the wonderful memories of Mary.
Debby (Smith) Hinnah
December 2, 2003
Jack,Laura & families: I was so sorry to hear of your Mom's death. She was a wonderful teacher & role model for many, as witnessed by the wonderful tributes from former students, friends & colleagues. She taught us so much, not just about band & music, but life in general & having pride in our accomplishments and always doing the absolute best we can! My sincere sympathy to each of you.
Denice (Bowling) Mefford
November 22, 2003
Dear Jack, Laura & Families:
Please know you've been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of the passing of your mother. My fondest memories of South Shelby are playing in the band, especially those great band trips. Your mom was a "goody". I know she will be greatly missed. I know Mom (Bernice) would want me to tell you that she has been thinking of you also.
Tina (Bowling) Oakes
November 21, 2003
Jack, Laura and family, Your mother was one of my favorite teachers. Whenever I see or hear a marching band, it brings back so many memories of your Mom and what she taught us all. I am very proud and honored to have known her. I'll never forget her throwing erasers at us to get our attention (South Shelby). God bless her and her family.
Karen (Smith)Norris
November 19, 2003
Jack and Laura, Your mother had a great deal of influence on all of us who were fortunate enough to be members of the "Slater High School Marching Band" in the 1960's. She taught us many things along with music; a sense of responsibilty & a sense of pride in our accomplishments. She was a tough one and a loved one. I can only imagine the number of young lives that she touched. She will be missed.
Jamie Sparks
November 18, 2003
Laura sorry to hear about your mom.May you know there are angels wathcing over her and that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.Your mom was a great educator just as you are with my son Caleb.May the lord bless you and give you lots of strength and courage during this very difficult time.
Kathy Duffy/Muenks
November 17, 2003
Jack, Laura & Family,
The Duffy girls just wanted you to know how sorry we were to hear of your mother's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. As I remember back many years to the South Shelby era of Mary Lightfoot it can only be said that she was the BEST!!!! The high school memories that I hold dear were the ones in Stage Band & Marching Band. It was her love and passion that made everyone around her want to be the best and we were at South Shelby. To this day when I attend a football game or a parade I feel goose bumps from the music, and if Mary Lightfoot had not shown us how to love music we would have missed out on this appreciation.
Regards
Kathy (Duffy) Muenks
Sandy (Duffy) Tatman
Chris Duffy
Sandy Duffy (Tatman)
November 17, 2003
Laura - so sorry to hear about your Mom - she was a great lady - I always enjoyed her - she always made you want to work hard in band and be the best - she passed on some great life lessons! Sincerely, Sandy Duffy (Tatman)
Eva Sue Gibbons Thomas
November 16, 2003
Jack and Laura, I am so sorry for your loss. What an inspiration your mom was on my life as well as my classmates. She truly was a class act. She took a very tiny band and turned it into over a 120 piece band that got 1's at state and made Slater known around the state. I had a great deal of love and admoration for her and would give her a standing ovation at any time. May God Bless and watch over you now and always. Eva Sue Gibbons Thomas
Anita (Taylor) Jones
November 16, 2003
Just wanted you to know how much I have benefited from the instruction I received at South Shelby. Even if I did have to dodge a few flying erasers, I still appreciated the way your mom instilled the discipline and hard work it takes to be not only a good musician but a disciplined person. I served on Jackson County jury duty with her a few years ago and was so excited to get to chat with her. If I had known she was involved in so many different bands I would have made an effort to come and see her in action. Her legacy lives on in hundreds of people who she touched with her love for music and her students.
Harold D. Carothers
November 14, 2003
What a joy to have been taught by the best! I will truly miss her. She is the reason I continue to play even though I am past 50. I wonder how many of my athletic classmates are still playing sports? Music is for life!
Bob Gillum
November 13, 2003
Jack/ Laura: Your Mom was a neat lady and I truly enjoyed playing trombone with and for her. She was like teachers should be today- no foolishness,but always fun. You always knew where you stood with Mary. Best wishes to both of you and your families.
Pat Giger Bossaller
November 12, 2003
Mrs. Lightfoot was so special to me and so many others in Slater. I played the clarinet because she loved it and wanted me to eventually play the oboe. I didn't get to do that after she left, but she taught me so much while she was in Slater! She made music fun and instilled so much pride and confidence! She was also the most fair teacher I had. She will be missed. Jack, you and Laura and your families have my deepest sympathy.
Jean Anne (Sharp) Manzi
November 12, 2003
Jack, Laura, and families: I was so sad to hear of your Mother's passing. She was my FAVORITE teacher, and she taught me so much about LIFE, and how to live it to the fullest!! God Bless you all. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Jean Anne (Sharp) Manzi
Linda Gillum Breck
November 12, 2003
Jack and Laura, Your mom was responsible for starting me on my long "career" of playing flute, which included 10 years of marching band. I often think of the 8th grade assembly where I wore my plaid shirt and cowboy boots to portray her conducting style. She was a terrific motivator and an extremely talented musician. You have my sympathies.
Carol Dombroski
November 12, 2003
Jack, I don't know if you will remember me but I was a young girl when your mother was the band director at Pleasant Hill. My Mother Ida Schmoll worked with her. I think that you were a very little boy at that time. Your mother was the greatest. My uncle Wilbur Schmoll was the band director at Harrisonville at the time and had many times in competition with your mom. We will all remember and miss your mom. We all send our sympathty
and love to you and your family.
David and Carol Dombroski(Schmoll)
Ida Schmoll
Donna and Wilbur Schmoll
Ron Mundt
November 12, 2003
I first met Mary several years ago playing in a pit orchestra at the Middle School of the Arts. Since that time, I felt fortunate to able to consider her a friendly and supportive face in several ensembles around town. Others may come to occupy the chairs she once held around town, but they will never take her place.
Bary Hartman
November 12, 2003
The first time I heard her name, it was brought to my attention that our school at Harrisonville would be playing South Shelby in football playoffs and that I, as a first year band director, should have our band ready to perform at a high level. The reason given me was that some lady named Mary Lightfoot really had her band roaring. In fact, she did!!!!
May your family find strength to see you through this time of loss.
Florence Schoonover
November 12, 2003
Mary --you were such an inspiration to all of us at South Shelby. Remembering the band days, Florence
Marty Nicholson
November 12, 2003
I enjoyed playing in two different music groups with Mary over the past six years. Right from the moment I met her, she became my role model. Such spirit and zest for life are rare in a person and are things to be treasured. I treasured knowing Mary.
Beth Dixon
November 12, 2003
Your Mother was an inspiration and example to all of us in the music community. Her greatest legacy will always be her students. She will be missed.
Marliese Rhoades Reeves
November 12, 2003
Hi Jack: You may not remember me, but I played Clarinet in Slater and was so upset when your family left Slater. Your mom had such a wonderful manner of teaching to bring out the best in us. Pearl Fishers was just on in Phx and of course I thought of Mary L.
My sympathy in your loss.
Cheryl Kidwell-McDonald
November 12, 2003
The spirit of Mary Lightfoot lives on in the lives of those she touched.
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in Mary Lightfoot's name
Memorial Events
for Mary Lightfoot
How to support Mary's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Mary Lightfoot's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
