Mary was born September 9, 1935 in Marengo, Iowa. She was the daughter of Ward and Esther Hatter. She graduated from Marengo High School then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Mary studied music and played her bassoon in the school’s marching band. She married Richard “Dick” Divis, originally from Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1955. They relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana to raise their daughters, Angela and Diane. Mary returned to college where she received a degree in Psychology from the University of Saint Francis, also in Fort Wayne.

She was an active member in her church and loved caring for children, first as a director of the childcare through Lutheran Social Services and then as Case Manager for Fort Wayne City Schools.

After retirement, she moved to Georgia to live with her daughter, Diane, and help raise her grandson, Mark. At that time, Mary became an active member of Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. She spent the last several years of her life at Tender Personal Care Home in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she passed away July 14, 2022.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Angela Easterday (husband Joseph) of Trafalgar, Indiana, and Diane Shihady of Suwanee, Georgia. Her sister Madeline resides in Dallas, Texas. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, and her grandson, Mark.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 22, 2022 at 10:30 AM in the Cecil B. Day Chapel at Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Mary’s honor to:

Perimeter Church

9500 Medlock Bridge Road

Johns Creek, GA 30097

and 

Duluth Cooperative Ministry – Hands of Christ

3395 Fox Street

Duluth, GA 30096