Mary Doggett

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mary L. Doggett, 85, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Sikeston, passed away of natural causes Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, in her home with family at her side.

She had been a resident at Creekside Cottages at Elfindale Retirement for close to 11 years and just had moved to CMH senior living in Ash Grove, Mo.

Mary started life in the small town of Blodgett, Mo. She met and married her husband, John, at the age of 18 after World War II.

John went on to be a dentist, and together they raised four children. When Mary was 42 she received a degree and began teaching social studies. Preferring politics to teaching, she ran for city council in Sikeston and became the first woman mayor of the town. While in that position, she had the good fortune to travel to Sikeston's sister city in Korea. She also toured Hong Kong and China. Mary became state delegate for the Reagan party and went to conventions in Dallas and Detroit, which she found exciting.

The Doggetts had an RV and traveled to all 50 states. While in the RV, they took their grandson on a 12,000-mile trip to the Arctic Circle. Other grandchildren took big trips with them to Disney World, Maine, Canada and more. She felt fortunate to have had those experiences with her husband and grandchildren.

Mary and her husband both shared a passion for nature, and it is one of the primary reasons they chose Elfindale after both were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, John passed away while they lived at Elfindale.

She is survived by all four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful aunt, friend and adviser to many.

The family will not hold a funeral at this time, but will have a memorial later in Jackson, the area where Mary and her husband grew up.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services in Springfield.

Online condolences may be made at midwestfuneralservices.com.