Mary Susan Blythe

Mary Susan Corriston Blythe, 80, was born in Berkeley, California, and passed away on May 17, 2026, in the presence of her beloved husband, Holly John Blythe and her sister Janis at her home in Shawnee, Kansas.

Mary was the firstborn child of Roy and Josephine “Jo” Corriston. At the age of six months, she began what would become a lifelong love of travel when her parents boarded a train and moved from Oakland, California, to Kansas City, Kansas. Within a few years, Mary was joined by her younger siblings, Janis, Bill, and Mark.

Mary began her educational journey in the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School system, attending Lowell Elementary School and later Welborn Elementary School through the eighth grade before graduating from Washington High School in 1963.

After graduating from high school, Mary attended Kansas City, Kansas Junior College and earned her Associate Degree in 1965. She then attended Kansas State Teachers College, later renamed Emporia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in May 1968. In 1975, she earned a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction—Elementary Science from Emporia State University.

Mary began her teaching career in 1968 when she was hired by USD 500 Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. She taught fifth grade at Bethel Elementary School and sixth grade at Stony Point South Elementary School for a total of seven years before moving into administrative leadership roles that included Helping Teacher, Elementary Science Coordinator, Specialist, Supervisor, and Director of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Planetarium. Prior to retiring in 2005, she served as Science and Math Instructional Resource Teacher and Instructional Coach/SIF at John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Mary also served both before and after retirement as an Adjunct Professor for Emporia State University, Park University, and Avila College, creating and teaching elementary science courses for future educators.

Throughout her long and distinguished career, Mary was recognized as an exceptional teacher, leader, environmentalist, conservationist, and visionary. Her contributions were honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including the Mid-America Conservation District Award in Education in 1977, The Learning Exchange Exemplary Award in 1983, USD 500 Board of Education Employee of the Month in 1988, and the Francis Families Foundation SHARE Award in 1991.

That same year, Mary secured a Kansas Department of Education Educational Excellence Grant of $111,770 to create and supply hands-on elementary science kits for classrooms. Long after the grant funds were exhausted, she continued personally ensuring that the kits were replenished with materials so students could continue to benefit from experiential science learning.In 1995, Mary envisioned and initiated the concept of a public science library and environmental resource center. She served as an advisor in the planning of what became the Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center, located at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2001, she received the Science Pioneers Distinguished Service Award from the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair in recognition of twenty-five years of service as a judge. In 2016, she was further recognized for forty years of dedicated service as a science fair judge.

Mary believed strongly in giving back to her community. This belief began during her childhood when she joined Camp Fire Girls. Camp Fire Girls provided outdoor learning and character-building opportunities for girls similar to those offered through scouting programs for boys. Mary earned the organization’s highest rank, Torch Bearer, an achievement comparable to the Eagle Scout Award.

As an adult, Mary continued building upon the values she learned as a Camp Fire Girl. She joined the Kansas City Jaycees and served as a director for numerous community fundraising activities from 1978 through 1986. She later became a docent at the Kansas City Zoo, where she volunteered from 1986 through 1993. Mary and her sister, Janis, also worked with artists from Hallmark Cards to create and sell garlands at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival in 1981 and 1982, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Mercy Hospital. After retiring in 2005, Mary became a member of KARSP ( Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel) and the local chapter WYCARSP (Wyandotte County Association of Retired School Personnel) from 2005 -2026.

In April 1984, Mary married Holly John Blythe and became an instant extra mom to Kurt and Erin. Mary treasured the time she spent with the children as they grew from childhood through their teenage years and into adulthood. She was their biggest fan and cheerleader and consistently encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Becoming a grandmother to Erin’s four children and Kurt’s child brought immeasurable joy to Mary. She delighted in buying and making special gifts for each grandchild and cherished every opportunity to be part of their lives.

Mary loved traveling, and Holly was her perfect travel companion. During her lifetime, she traveled to Mexico, the islands of the Caribbean, Canada, and Italy. She also visited forty-nine states, with Oregon being the only state remaining on her list. Mary and Holly had planned to visit Oregon in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic and Mary’s subsequent illness interrupted those plans.

Mary was a devoted rock hound, and many summer vacations to America’s national parks and surrounding areas combined work and pleasure. These locations provided fertile ground for collecting rocks, minerals, gemstones, and fossils to incorporate into science kits while also expanding Mary’s impressive personal collection. In keeping with her lifelong commitment to education, Mary donated her entire collection of minerals, gemstones, rocks, fossils, and her personal library of rocks, minerals, gemstones and dinosaur reference books to the Olathe Gem and Mineral Society.

Mary was talented and creative in countless ways. As a young woman, she was an ice skater who participated in local ice shows and exhibitions. Throughout her life, she expressed her love and kindness through knitting and crochet. She made afghans for family and friends, knitted hats for individuals experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment, and crocheted potholders, dishcloths, and “scrubbies” that she delighted in giving as gifts. She also crafted beautiful bracelets from Czechoslovakian glass beads for family members and friends.

Mary loved cooking and became an accomplished gourmet cook through self-study and a passion for the Cooking Channel. She never hesitated to explore new cuisines, ingredients and spices from around the world. She became one of Penzeys Spices’ most loyal customers and often shared her enthusiasm and generosity by gifting jars of spices to family and friends.

Mary loved many things—far too many to chronicle fully—but one passion was immediately visible to students, teachers, family members, and friends: her extraordinary sock collection. She had socks for every holiday and celebration, including Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Arbor Day, and countless others. She had socks featuring animals on land, in water, in the air, and even extinct creatures represented through fossils. She owned socks adorned with plants, flowers, planets, celestial objects, food themes, and nearly every imaginable subject. Mary purchased socks during her travels and received socks from family and friends for birthdays and Christmas. Mary’s generous spirit often led her to gift socks to family members and friends that matched another person’s hobbies, interests, or profession.

Sharing joy was a hallmark of Mary's life and she often did that through selecting greeting cards for family and friends. Her favorite cards were from Gary Larson's Far Side collection or cards with a similar quirkiness. No one received traditional Christmas or birthday cards except the most senior members of the family. At gatherings to celebrate birthdays, Mary's cards were always the funniest and she loved seeing the reaction to her card and hearing the laughter that followed from the card's recipient. We will forever miss her cards and her joyous laughter.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Josephine “Jo” Corriston; her parents-in-law, John and Della Wray Blythe; her grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Holly John Blythe; her cherished bonus children, Kurt Blythe (Molly) and Erin Harris; and her five adored grandchildren, Thea, Roan, Blythe, Teig, and Wren. She is also survived by her sister, Janis Dow (William “Denny”); her brothers, Bill Corriston (Patty) and Mark Corriston (Libby); her sister- and brother-in-law, Jana and Mark Elkins; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and countless friends, colleagues, former students, and fellow educators.

Mary was diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration Syndrome (CBDS) in late 2021. Prior to receiving the diagnosis, she experienced symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease and was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. She began treatment with medications commonly prescribed for that condition. However, Mary quickly recognized that her symptoms were progressing and not responding as expected. Following consultation with a neurology specialist, the diagnosis of CBDS was confirmed. CBDS typically results in significant decline in speech, motor function, executive decision, functioning cognition, dementia and ultimately death. Although Mary experienced profound physical degeneration, she never lost her memory, personality, behavioral awareness, or ability to think clearly. Sadly, she remained acutely aware of each stage of decline as the disease progressed.

Throughout her life, Mary worked tirelessly to support and expand scientific knowledge through education and community service. In death, she continued that mission by donating her body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine for educational and medical research. Mary hoped that the study of her body and brain might contribute to a better understanding of CBDS and someday lead to improved treatments, interventions, or a cure for future generations.

Mary’s family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of Senior Helpers of Overland Park and Good Shepherd Hospice of Olathe. Special thanks are extended to Angela Sullivan of Senior Helpers, whose companionship, kindness, and assistance provided Mary with friendship and Holly with much-needed respite. Angela’s sweet spirit and compassion consistently brightened Mary’s days.

The family also extends special appreciation to Ed Layton, RN, of Good Shepherd Hospice, who cared for Mary during her final two days. His kindness, compassion, and gentle care of both Mary and those who sat vigil at her bedside will never be forgotten.

Mary’s memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched as an educator, volunteer, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, mentor, and friend.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Monday, July 13, 20262:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Merriam Community CenterCampbell-Kessler Room6040 Slater StreetMerriam, Kansas 66202

The Merriam Community Center is located directly east of IKEA and is also accessible from IKEA Way on the east side of the property.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

Memorial and tribute donations in Mary’s memory may be made to-

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 USA

Online contributions can be made to: donations@michaeljfox.org