My mother's obituary

Here's my mother's obituary that came out in a Jackson, Mississippi, newspaper. It made me so sad to read it because if it's in print, it must be true. (My friend Brenda wrote it because I just couldn't do it.) I sort of kept thinking that if the news of her death wasn't published anywhere, then maybe she wasn't really dead.

Services were held recently for former Northsider Laura Jean McKay Scanlon. Mrs. Scanlon died March 9 in Jackson, Tenn., from complications of Multiple Sclerosis. She was born September 24, 1928, in Conway, Ark. Her parents were Michael and Waeta Courtney McKay. The family moved to Jackson in 1944, when her father took the position of District Landman for Mobil Oil Corporation.

Her family were members of Galloway Memorial Methodist Church. She attended Millsaps College, where she was a member of Beta Sigma Omicron social sorority, and the Millsaps Singers. She received her degree in psychology from the University of Mississippi. She completed her graduate degree in social work at Vanderbilt University.

Mrs. Scanlon worked for the Jackson Welfare Office until moving to New Orleans, where she worked for the Methodist Home for unwed mothers, counseling mothers and supervising foster homes. After moving to Natchez, she worked in the same position for Kings Daughters Home. She later worked as a marriage counselor at the Halstead Clinic in Halstead, Kan. Before moving toJackson, Tenn., she lived in Vicksburg, where she was in charge of helping patients file social security claims at the Vicksburg Medical Center.

Mrs. Scanlon recalled with especial happiness her years in Natchez, where she enjoyed her membership in the Natchez Garden Club, and where her children participated in the annual Spring Pilgrimage pageant. She taught children’s Sunday School at Trinity Episcopal Church, later at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Vicksburg.

Those who knew and loved Mrs. Scanlon will always remember her patience and cheerfulness in the face of her long illness, her bright eyes and sweet smile, her sense of humor, and her unwavering faith in Christ.

Survivors are her four children: daughter Elizabeth Scanlon Thomas and her husband Mel of Reading, Berkshire, England; sons Michael McKay Scanlon and wife Shary of
Fairfield, Iowa; Patrick Timothy Scanlon and wife Wanda of Jackson, Tenn.; and Kevin Lee Scanlon of Vicksburg; grandchildren Katie and Mikey Thomas, Lauralee Scanlon Hise, Edward and William Scanlon; sister Susan McKay Wells and brother-in-law William Calvin Wells IV of New Orleans; niece and nephews Susan Elizabeth Wells Parham, Michael McKay Wells, and William Calvin Wells V; and special family friend and longtime helper Lillian Austin Griffin.

Notes of condolence to her family may be sent online to laura_mckay_scanlon@yahoo.com.