Mary C. Reed passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs on June 20, 2025, at the age of 93. Her life was a blessing to many. Mary was born on February 17, 1932, in Burlington, Iowa, to teachers, Ed and Isabelle Lotz. On her first day of junior college, at just 18, she went on a blind date with Bill Reed, who would later become her husband. They married the following June in 1951. At the time, Bill had already served in the Navy, completed his college and master’s degrees, and was working in Burlington.
Bill’s career with Amoco Oil led the young couple to live in Oklahoma and Illinois. Along the way, they welcomed three daughters, and Mary devoted herself to creating a warm and loving home.
In 1969, Mary and Bill began fostering infants—a ministry that became one of the great callings of their lives. Over the next 12 years, they cared for more than 50 foster babies. One of those children, foster baby number 25, became their fourth daughter.
Mary was active in her church, singing in the choir and participating in women’s ministries. She continued to enjoy sewing into her upper 80’s, including baby items for the crisis pregnancy center. Above all, she cherished her growing family, which came to include eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mary will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those blessed by her kindness and generosity. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Bill (2015), and her grandson, Ian Wilcox (2021). She is survived by her brother, Phillip (Marge); her daughters: Kris Serbus (Del), Erin Wilcox (David), Michelle Ferrozzo (Mike), and Megan Quiggle (Barry); ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held at Village Seven Presbyterian Church at 6:00 p.m. on June 27, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mary’s name to Life Network, https://www.elifenetwork.com/donate/. On this page, choose the option “dedicate my donation,” or mail check to Life Network, 7189 Meridian Road, Peyton, CO 80831, notation of dedication to Mary Reed.