Mary Francis Phinney Schastey

Mary Francis Schastey left this earth on Sunday, June 13, 2021 after three years of illness at the age of 79. Though she is no longer with us, she remains in our hearts and memories forever.

Mary was born to Clarence and Annie on May 8th, 1942 in Auburn, Kentucky. She was one of five children who grew up working hard on the farm. Mary had a beautiful chestnut horse named Ginger that she loved to ride. Ginger loved to toss her off when she was tired of running, yet Mary got back on time after time. Mary's approach to all things in life were learned on the farm: Work hard, live well, and solve problems by approaching them until resolved.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Annie, her sisters Katie Louise Pulley, Margaret Anne Jones and her brother Clarence Wayne Pulley.

Mary is survived by her sister Kathleen Sue; her children, Rosemary Buerger (Steven), Tommy Phinney, Jennifer Whittington (Gary) and John Schastey, Jr. (Joan). Her Grandchildren, Chelsea Brickell (Steven), Jessica Buerger, Dalton Blizzard (Brittney), Abigail Whittington, Caeley Schastey. Her great-grandchildren; Waylon Brickell, Gavin Brickell, Henleigh Blizzard and Beau Blizzard. She had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Mary enjoyed sewing, baking, dancing, listening to music and going to the beach. As a young woman she drove Funny cars on the race tracks of Western Kentucky. She enjoyed roller skating, camping on the lake and spending time with family and friends. She was best known for her amazing chocolate pies, which none of us have mastered. She loved her pets, especially Cuddles, and all the other dogs and cats we dragged home. She was thrice married and enjoyed her sister-in-law's, brothers-in-law's and in-laws. We imagine they are gathered at a table in celebration of a life well lived.

She loved family holidays and listening to her children laugh and tell stories of their childhood. She enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters sharing special moments with each of them. She was a master of video games, especially Mario Brothers. She would often continue playing late into the night long after we kids had gone to bed trying to beat the level she was on.

She loved her time as an Army wife, embracing the travel to places like Germany, Georgia, New Jersey and finally North Carolina where she made her home. She worked in banking for over 25 years and was always known to be well dressed, never missing her lipstick. She retired from First Citizens Bank on Ft Bragg NC where she'd enjoyed meeting all the families and soldiers over the years.

Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will always be that star shining in the sky on a dark night, the gentle breeze blowing across our faces, or the cardinal stopping at our window. She'll forever be in our hearts.

A private celebration of life will be held later in the year for family and friends. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fayetteville SPCA or St Jude's Children's Hospital in Mary's memory.