Mary Olivia Handy Parker

1927 - 2023

Mary Olivia Handy Parker
January 10, 1927 - June 19, 2023
Mary Olivia Handy Parker was born January 10, 1927 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. As the daughter of an army officer, she lived in many different places. Her education included high school at the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., a degree from Vassar College, and graduate degrees from the University of Texas, Austin, and the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Her master's thesis, The History of Fort Sam Houston, was published in 1950.

She served as Assistant Dean of Women at the University of Maryland preceding her marriage to Harry J Parker II in 1955. She then moved to San Antonio and soon thereafter became busy with three children and church activities.

In 1978 Harry Parker died suddenly of a heart attack and Mary became involved in their family oil business with great support from her brothers-in-law. She also became a member of and served on several different boards: The Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, Trinity University Board of Trustees, Princeton University Chapel Advisory Board, and the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Board (a national Episcopal organization promoting prayer). At Christ Episcopal Church she served on the Vestry under three rectors and was strongly involved in the Pastoral Care Ministry of Community of Hope, hospital visitation and other activities in the community. She was a member of the Junior League, the Military Civilian Club, Timely Topics and The Forum.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry J Parker II, by her parents, General and Mrs. Thomas Troy Handy, two half brothers, James Johnson and Ernest Johnson; in the Parker family by George Parker Jr., Joseph and Mary Anne Parker, John and Patricia Parker, and William Parker. She is survived by her son, Harry J Parker III and his wife Madeleine (Meg) and their children, Anne Olivia and her husband Michael Perkola and Harry William Parker and his wife Shruthi; her daughters, Mary Alma Parker and her partner Tonya Forest and Josephine Selye Parker with her son Troy Alexander Cervantes. She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Mara Vijaya Parker, Harry William Parker V and Arya Zina Parker, as well as her sister-in-law, Camilla Mueller Parker and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to acknowledge Sara and Alvaro Camacho for thirty plus years of their loving service to our family and mother.

Additionally, we would like to thank Karel Hoffman for her exceptional concierge nursing services.

And finally, we would like to thank our two beloved angels, Minerva Bernal and Connie (Consuela) Gomez from Above and Beyond Caregiving, as well as all the other care givers who lovingly cared for our mother and made her final days and transition as peaceful and comforting as possible.

In lieu of flowers, gifts would be appreciated to the Harry J Parker Memorial Fund at Christ Episcopal Church which has underwritten special Christian Missions for the community at Christ Church and beyond.

A private interment took place at the family plot at Mission Burial Park South.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
THURSDAY,
JULY 13, 2023
11:00 A.M.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
510 BELKNAP PLACE

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