Mary Valcourt

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of my beloved mother, Mary Elizabeth Valcourt. Born on February 11, 1934, in Lowell Massachusetts to Elizabeth C. Stone (formerly Whaley) and Frank Whaley. 

While residing in Kansas, Mary passed into the Hands of our Lord Jesus Christ and her Heavenly Home on January 13, 2025, aged 90 years.

Mary is survived by her daughter Christine Marie (Valcourt) Beckley and son-in-law Alan Ray Beckley of Melrose Kansas. She is also leaving her most special niece, Linda F. Thomason of Belmont N.H. as well as other nieces and nephews, all of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Mary is pre-deceased by her husband Henry Valmore Leo Valcourt, her mother Elizabeth Christie (Newton) Stone, stepfather Irving R. Stone and her brothers and sister Bette E. Graham, Richard E. Whaley, Russell W. Whaley, and Francis L. Whaley.

On June 30, 1956, Mary wed Henry V.L. Valcourt from Rhode Island at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Nashua N.H. Together they raised their only child Christine both in New Hampshire and Maine. Mary and Henry later retired to Joplin Missouri to be closer to her.

Mary devoted her life, making every day special, to her family, friends and home. She was an unbelievable mother, always supportive and loving, withholding judgement. She made hard times tolerable, offering hope for a better time to come. She was an incurable optimist who could find good in what others could not. 

Mary was a dear friend to so many, bringing her unique true self to all her relationships, keeping connected to them through her hand-written letters when distance became an issue.

Mary will be interred in a family plot at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus Kansas after a small, family service which will be led by the Reverend Father Samuel Perez, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miami Oklahoma.

Arrangements will be under direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin Missouri.