Mary Anna Endres, age 84, passed away on January 30, 2019. She was a resident of Colorado Springs, CO, for 23 years and was formerly a resident of Wheaton, IL. Mary was gifted with language ability and enjoyed a remarkable career in writing and editing for over 45 years.
Mary was born on October 7, 1934, to Edward Endres and Lillian (nee Holmes) in Medford, WI. She attended Waukegan Township High School in Waukegan, IL, graduating in 1953. She attended Northern Illinois University and graduated in 1957. Mary earned her master’s degree in English from the University of Chicago.
Mary loved watercolor painting, particularly appreciating botanical art. She also enjoyed gardening and reading and was an avid reader of Christian literature and historical biographies. Mary was a member of Village Seven Presbyterian Church.
Mary is survived by her lifelong friend, Janice Burton, the two of them having met in college in 1953. They shared a home and life together as dear friends for 46 years. Mary is also survived by her brother, Michael Endres (Christine); former sister-in-law, June Endres; nephew, Steven Endres (Anne); niece, Karen Endres Arvin (Kevin); great- nieces, Karissa Arvin and Elizabeth Endres; and great-nephew, William Endres. Mary was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 4040 South Nonchalant Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80917. Inurnment will follow at North Shore Garden of Memories in North Chicago, IL, later this spring.
Memorials in Mary’s name may be made to Village Seven Presbyterian Church Missions Department, 4055 South Nonchalant Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 or to a Christian charity of your choice.
Mavis Hines
6 Feb 2019Mary’s sweet personality, and love and care for others evidencing her daily walk with Jesus, will be sorely missed. Now she is at home with the Lord she loved. You are in my prayers and I am so very sorry for your great loss. May God grant you strength and peace as you face the future without Mary.
Amy
6 Feb 2019Hugs Janice
Michael Richardt
10 Feb 2019I am saddened about the passing of Miss Mary Endres, I was a student in her English class during the 1964-65 school year at Zion-Benton Township High School. It was my senior year and I well remember Miss Endres and was happy to be in her class. She was a great teacher and that was one of my favorite classes during my high school years, maybe the favorite of all.
Derek J Keenan
12 Feb 2019Mary was a wonderful part of the editorial team at the Association of Christian Schools International. She mentored others on the editorial team. We often had a weekly contest where I would come across a new word in my reading and I would send it to Mary to ask if she knew the definition. Rarely was she stumped, and more often she would ask for the sentence in which the word was used, and tell whether it was correct usage. Mary brought a winsome spirit to her work relationships and was endeared to all of us. One of the great hires of my career with ACSI was to hire Mary Endres!
Anonymous
9 Jan 2020Mary Anna was my cousin and we kept in touch our whole lives even though we lived far apart and hadn’t seen each other since our teen years. I remember her as a very kind and beautiful girl. Rest in peace, Mary Anna. Love, Eleanor Salmon Alexander.