Mary Frances Denton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and lifetime resident of Kay County, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the age of 96.

Mary Frances was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, on March 21, 1916, and was the youngest child of Marshall and Edith Baldwin. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Clark and Bertha Louise. She married Raymond Denton on April 9, 1936. They had two children, Richard Lee and Mary Raye.

Mary Frances was active at home and in the community. Throughout her children’s childhoods she served as a role model and leader of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Bluebird and Campfire Girls. She was particularly active as a 4-H Leader and FFA parent. As an involved band parent, she chaperoned when the Blackwell High School band marched in President Eisenhower’s inauguration.

A lifetime Kay County resident, Mary Frances was a proud farmer’s wife and community member. One of her many involvements included being a member of the Prairie View Extension Club for over 65 years and a regular contributor to the Kay County Free Fair cooking competitions, where she won ribbons for her angel food cake, muffins, breads and other baked goods. She received ribbons at the 2011 fair and was planning her entries for this September.

Throughout her life, she traveled the US and world, including Hawaii, Alaska, Caribbean, Scandinavia, and Europe. She particularly enjoyed representing Oklahoma Extension Clubs at the National Convention in Holland, Michigan. Her favorite destination, however, was her own home where she was most at peace working in her lovely garden and cooking for her family and friends.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be Monday April 16, 1:00 pm at Roberts & Son Funeral Chapel in Blackwell, with Rev. Bruce Taylor of the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City and William Hellen of Tulsa, Oklahoma officiating, followed by a light meal and an opportunity to share memories at Top of Oklahoma Pavilion gathering room.