Mary Elizabeth (McWhirt) Sack

Mary Elizabeth Sack, 95, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at Affinity House in Waterloo.  She was born on March 14, 1921, in Centerview, Missouri, the daughter of Richard and Jessie (Benezette) McWhirt.

On October 15, 1940, Mary was united in marriage to Norbert Sack of Holden, Missouri.  Four children were born to this union. 

Mary worked for over 40 years in the catalogue department for J.C. Penney’s, first in Dyersville and then in Dubuque until her retirement.  She was a 4-H leader for three years and a Girl Scout Leader for over 15 years.  Mary loved to sing and was a member of the Sweet Adeline’s Choral group in Dubuque for 20 years and was also a member of her church choir. 

Mary and Norbert spent their summers for sixty years at their cabin site on Lake Delhi.  They enjoyed spending time with their extended family and friends.  After retirement they spent their winters in Texas.  Mary took great pride in her Irish heritage and compiled an extensive genealogy family tree back to Ireland.

For the past three years, Mary had lived in Waterloo at Affinity House, an assisted living facility managed by her granddaughter, Jennifer Tutton.  Mary wished to die at Affinity House and God granted her that wish, for a peaceful death in her own bedroom with family at her bedside.  Mary was the last of her generation.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Robert Allen and Monica Sack of Delhi, David Lee and Peggy Sack of Nashville, Tennessee, Carol Ann and David Tutton of Delaware, and James Stephen and Mary Sack of Littleton, Colorado; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years, Norbert Sack; her sister, Nannebelle Stewart; two brothers, Charles McWhirt and Howard McWhirt; and her grandson, Jason Sack. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous, or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held for family and friends in June 2017.

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