Mary Kay Mead (Dinsmore)

Aged to a young 69.

Mary Kay set off on her "next big adventure" the evening of November 11, 2012, with friends and family by her side. Born Mary Kathryn Mead on February 12, 1943 in Jackson, Michigan, Mary Kay lived in several states including Michigan, Virginia and California.   After one year of attending Michigan State University, Mary Kay traveled with her parents one summer through Tucson as they moved back to California. Soon after, she transferred to the University of Arizona after falling in love with the desert monsoons on that fateful trip.

While attending the U of A, she was a member of Tri-Delta Sorority, and met the love her life and future husband Phil Dinsmore.  Mary Kay and Phil married on Nov. 27th, 1965 in the Los Angeles area where Mary Kay taught elementary school and Phil practiced architecture.

After two years in L.A., they returned to Tucson where they raised their family and set their roots both personally and professionally. They were blessed with two children, Rob Dinsmore (Caroline) of Redwood Shores, CA, and Kerry Dinsmore (Carole) of Tucson; and later three grandchildren, Lucy (Rob & Caroline), and Nicholas and Luke (Kerry & Carole).

The epitome of leadership, professionalism, determination and perseverance, Mary Kay was a business professional, civic leader and volunteer.  Her many endeavors and accomplishments include elementary education, Development Officer for the U of A College of Architecture / U of A Foundation, Executive Director of the Tucson Ronald McDonald House, and also Marketing Coordinator at Phil’s architecture firm.  Many years were also spent volunteering and serving as a board member for the Tucson Junior League, Tucson Parks and Recreation Association, the Silver and Turquoise Ball, and the local Tucson Tri-Delta Alumni chapter.

Phil predeceased Mary Kay in 2003 and so began her next journey.

Diagnosed in 2005 with ovarian cancer, her determination, strength and perseverance carried her through her final years. She lived life to the fullest, taking up photography, learning to paint, visiting family in California and Hawaii, joining her book club friends on weekend getaways, as well as flying first class to many international destinations with her travel friends.

Mary Kay completed her journey in peace, in time to rejoin Phil just before their 47th wedding anniversary.  Mary Kay and Phil are together and once again enjoying the happiness that they both so deserve.