Mary Ellen Parker

Mary Ellen Edwards Parker, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, surrounded by family. She was 76.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, to David Clarence and Phyllis Odelia Burg Edwards, Mary Ellen earned her nursing degree from the School of Nursing at Harper Hospital, specializing in ICU and CCU Care. It was there she met her future husband, Donald Charles Parker. They married on April 2, 1971, and shared 37 wonderful years together before Don's passing in 2008.

Mary Ellen's warmth and humor touched everyone she met. Known as "Ma Parker" and "GrandMary", she was famous for her twinkling bright blue eyes, snarky sense of humor, and her "uncandied candidness." Anyone who got to know her fell in love with her - her humor, energy, and kindness were unmatched.

Her grandchildren were lucky enough to only know life living with her in their house in Des Moines, Iowa. She loved them fiercely and was always around to give them affection.

She had a passion for games and cards, especially relished bridge club, and was an avid and talented needlepointer. Mary Ellen loved to travel, particularly enjoyed repeated trips to Las Vegas & Florida, and had a deep appreciation for and knowledge of jewelry. She successfully tried her hand at bonsai and adored plants, and she was a gifted cook who showed love through food - her Christmas beef tenderloin was legendary. She was blessed to be at both of her children's weddings.

Mary Ellen treasured each and every niece and nephew, considering herself blessed to have so many wonderful ones. She held her siblings close to her heart, viewing them as one of life's greatest gifts.

Mary Ellen is survived by her children Heather Ann (Cale) Roe and Donald "DJ" (Kristie) Parker; grandchildren Marigold "Goldie" Lilou and Silas Theodore; her siblings Susan Belloli, Joy (Mike) Belloli, Ann (Jack) Heckathorn, and David (Robin) Edwards; Phyllis (Larry) Zolcienski, and her sister-in-law Suzy MacLachlan.

A celebration of life will be held during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Special Memories...30th wedding anniversary renewal with an Elvis impersonator and the '57 pink Cadillac in Las Vegas... Don delivering DJ himself because her OB GYN went back to the office... Racing across state lines to the Canadian border with Heather's ID when Heather's only had her cousin's Beth's fake one... Hiding candy around her room for the grandchildren to find... "Spoiling her grandchildren rotten" - says Heather...Teaching life lessons to her children's teenage friends and holding space for them when their parents wouldn't... Goading Don to try wasabi and then laughing nervously and uncontrollably when he thought he might die... Taking care of Don until the very end, honoring her wedding vows with unwavering devotion... Embracing every "stray" animal or human her children brought home and treating them like family... "Stitch and bitch" needlepointing sessions...Getting casino perks and booking rooms for sister Sue and her friends for her birthday...Loving not much more than talking to her friends and sisters on the phone... Hitting for $25,000 at a Vegas slot machine and using it to buy the drapes she wanted for the Adrian house... Don's favorite phrase "Goddammit Mary!" when she drove with her "lead" foot...Arriving late to Heather's wedding because she was at a slot machine after they had purposefully booked her in a non-gambling hotel...Knowing the answer to anyone's medical questions but really knowing the answers to almost everything...Going to Hawaii with Heather... She shared about her marriage to Don: "We were married for 37 years, and we had at least 25 great ones with the lousy ones being at the beginning and not the end. He always said I was the love of his life, and I know I will never again experience that kind of love."

In lieu of flowers, Mary's family asks that you donate to your local food bank, or pay off an outstanding school lunch debt at any public school, or plant a tree in her honor. She especially loved lilac trees.