Mary Jack McFarland, PhD, 79, passed away on May 17, 2024 at Pleasant Hills, Hutchinson.   She was born January 2, 1945 in Hutchinson as the first child of Harold and Maxine (Butts) McFarland.  Her sister Cindy joined the family two years later.

Mary graduated from McPherson High School and received her B.S. in Medical Technology from Bethany College in Lindsborg, and moved to Minnesota, to complete an internship at Hennepin County General Hospital in Minneapolis.  She traveled to Colorado, where she worked for several years as a medical technologist for the Weld County Hospital in Greeley.

To continue learning in her profession, Mary received a teaching fellowship to University of Vermont where she graduated with a M.S in Medical Laboratory Science in 1973. Although Mary loved the scenery, people, and culture of Vermont, a warmer climate drew her to Phoenix, Arizona. There she worked at St. Luke's Hospital for three years until she became a full-time instructor at Phoenix Community College teaching hematology and math to medical technology students.

This was a highly enjoyable time for Mary because she loved the field of hematology, academic life, and camaraderie with the faculty. During her seven years of teaching, she began taking classes in Psychology at nearby Arizona State University.  She completed her Masters in Psychology and moved to Riverside, CA, to complete her PhD in Clinical Psychology at University of California Riverside.

Mary fulfilled her post-doctorate internships at San Bernardino County Mental Health meeting the requirements to become a licensed psychologist.  Dr. McFarland relocated to Brookings, a small community on the beautiful coastline of Oregon close enough to California, to create a private practice there in rural Del Norte County.

For 21 years, Mary continued her busy private practice while teaching Psychology classes at Southwest Oregon College.  She wove herself into the life and lives of the people in the Brookings community developing many friendships, playing clarinet in a woodwind quartet, and especially enjoying gardening.

As her health began to deteriorate, Mary closed her private practice, retired and circled back to Kansas where her life began to be near the family she treasured.  After her return, Mary cherished the memories of all their gatherings, adventures, and most of all laughter.  Mary held dear Marjorie Ledell (Vancouver, Wash.), her best friend since grade school and Glory, her almost human cat.

Mary is survived by: her sister, Cindy Burke of Inman, her nephew, Tony Burke (Michelle) of Austin, TX, nieces, Jackie Ribordy (Roland) of Windom and Joey Burke of Inman, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Maxine and Harold, both World War II veterans.

Cremation has taken place.  Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Grace Episcopal Church, 2 Hyde Park Drive, Hutchinson. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.

To view Mary's service, click the following link, the day of the service: https://www.facebook.com/gracechurchhutch/live

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.