A Celebration of Life and Remembrance for Mary Lea Finnegan, age 92 years, of Enid, is 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Gary Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Eureka, California at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Mary Lea passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Integris Bass Baptist Hospital in Enid.
Mary Lea was born in Richland, Missouri to Andrew Jackson “Jack” Salsman and Myrtle Lea (Wilson) Salsman. She attended school in Hazelgreen, Missouri in a small, one room schoolhouse, something that she held as a special memory. After graduation, she married Elvin Harris. In January of 1962, she married Levi William “Bill” Finnegan. They made their home in Eureka, California from 1962 until 2001 when she returned to Oklahoma to be closer to her son and grandchildren following Bill’s passing. Mary Lea took great pride and delight in her family. She especially loved being a nana! She loved to cook for them, especially fish, as this was her best dish. Saturday morning shopping excursions were also a favorite and she looked forward to them every week. She and Bill were fortunate to be able to travel and they went everywhere! They traveled to Europe, Canada, and many places within the United States as well. Mary Lea will be remembered by her family and friends as a sweet, kind, loving and witty lady. She loved her family dearly, and she considered all her “step” children and grandchildren her own. Her nieces and nephews all referred to her as “Aunt Murg” and they all adored her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Myrtle Lea Salsman, two husbands, Elvin Harris and Bill Finnegan; a daughter, Bonnie Lou Harris, son Bobby Joe Harris; step-son Billy Finnegan; grandson Brent Harris, three sisters and one brother.
Mary Lea is survived by a large and loving family, step-son, Bob Finnegan and wife Vicky, of Vacaville, CA; six grandchildren, Neena Givens, of Perry, OK, Brian Harris and girlfriend, Jyoti, of Eureka, CA; Dennis Finnegan, of Redding, CA; Cathy Meecham and husband Kevin, of Elk Grove, CA; Steven Finnegan and wife Angela, of Vacaville, CA; Brandon Harris and wife Leslee, of Knoxville, TN; five step-grandchildren, Lisa Masters and husband Glen, of Kingfisher, OK; Jamie Moore and husband Neal, of Stillwater, OK; Jimmy Gross and wife Sarah, of Ringwood, OK; Kenny Gross and wife Brenda, of Hennessey, OK; Susan Mitchell and husband Donovan, of Kingfisher; ten great-grandchildren, Jacob Givens, of Stillwater, OK; Jared Givens and wife Katie, of Stillwater, Jeremiah Givens and fiancé Ali Martin, of Stillwater; Amber Caley, of Roswell, NM; Justin and Jessica Meecham, of Elk Grove, CA; Nick Finnegan and Maddie Finnegan, of Vacaville, CA; Aaron Hunt, and Chase and Gracie Harris, all of Knoxville, TN; Anthony Harris of Kingfisher, OK; Blake and Connor Harris, both of Enid; eleven step-great grandchildren, Adam and Sammy Masters, of Kingfisher; Josh Gore and wife Kendra, of Kingfisher; Brittany Gore, of Kingfisher; Christopher Gross and wife Sydney, of Stillwater; Matthew Gross, of Enid; Karisa Davis and husband Chuck, of Kansas City, MO; Zach Gross of Enid; Miranda Gross, of Hennessey; Kaleigh and Brody Mitchell, of Kingfisher; five great-great grandchildren, one daughter-in-law, Helen Finnegan, of Redding, CA; and two sisters, Louise and Eula Wilson, both of Eureka, CA; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
The family would like to recognize Helen Finnegan for her ongoing dedication to Mary Lea. She was always there for nana, and it will not be forgotten.
The family requests memorials be made in Mary Lea’s name toward burial expenses in California with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and the service viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com .
“She was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life”.
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