Mary was born to Grace Marie (Pease) and Herschel Edward Thorp in Sutherland, Neb.
She went to school in Paxton, Neb., and graduated in 1942. She attended business college in Denver, where she lived and worked until 1945. During World War II, she volunteered as a Red Cross nurse's aide at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.
She married Delmar Eugene (Red) Morfitt on Oct. 5, 1947. They were married for 52 years and had four children. They lived in Nebraska until they moved to the San Luis Valley in January 1962.
Mary worked for the Forest Service for 10 years. After retirement, Red and Mary were "winter Texans", spending several months each winter at their second home in Harlingen, Texas.
Mary was an excellent cook, and was well known for her homemade bread. She enjoyed sewing, painting, reading and crafting and seldom missed a night of Jeopardy.
Mary traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, China, Mongolia, Africa and England. She was very active with her family, the Saguache Methodist Church, and in the community. She volunteered many years at the Saguache Museum, and belonged to Friends of the Library, American Legion Auxiliary, Study Club, Red Hat, Sagebrush Quilters and the Scrabble club.
She is survived by children Dell (Yvonne) Morfitt, Susan Buscaglia, and Elizabeth Coleman, eight grandchildren (Joel Farrell, Aminah Coleman, Noah Morfitt, Andrew Morfitt, Rachael Morfitt Sanchez, Sarah Morfitt, Ethan Morfitt, Laura Morfitt), four great-grandchildren (Liam Farrell, Hannah Morfitt, Andrew Morfitt, Antora Sanchez), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Red, and son Kent Morfitt, and daughter-in-law Bobbie Jo Morfitt predeceased her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saguache United Methodist Church,P.O. Box 184, Saguache CO. 81149.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Center United Methodist Church. Reception to follow.