Kathleen Ramsey (Arbogast)

So sorry to hear of Mary's passing.  I do remember her as a very positive and bubbly person.   She will be missed by all family, friends and classmates who knew her.

Margaret E. Bachman (Popp)

Our sweet Mary, friendly to everyone and dearest friend to me. Always kind. Always smiling.  How very lucky to have had her in our lives, there will never be another. When you think of her, smile back!   

Linda L. Woodward

Mary loved all and was loved by all. I can picture her beautiful smiling face, her fantastic sense of humor, and her kindness. You might say she brought joy to the world. You will be missed by all. Your friend, Linda Woodward Brady

Frank R. Chaffin

When I moved to Topeka in 1955, Mary was one of my first friends. I met her that summer and spent many a raucous evening at the Starbuck household. Her big brothers, of course, gave me all kinds of grief. Mary was a great, happy person! She and Linda became fast friends for life.  We are greatly saddened by her passing. However...it was also a blessing. Her suffering is done. She and Ralph can now continue their adventures!!

Marcia R. Oroke (Haag)

Mary Star or "Star" as she was known to many of us, was my special friend. She and I were friends in high school, college and forever. Our husbans were friends, our kids were friends,and our families were friends. Although she and Ralph moved to Tempe, AZ in 1970, we visited them often in Tempe, they visited us frequently in Topeka, and we met in various locations for fun times together. We attended each other's kid"s weddings and celebrated the births of each other"s precious grandchildren. Mary and I traveled each of the past 20+ years on trips with a large group of high school friends which we called "Friends Forever". Due to her progressing Alzheimer's, Mary"s last trip with us was to Seattle in 2012. My husband and I had planned a trip to Arizona in March of 2014 to help take care of Ralph and Mary for a week. Ralph unfortunately died of stage 4 brain and lung cancer a few days before we arrived, so our time there involved attending his funeral, finding a facility for Mary to live in, and grieving with their family and friends. I returned to see Mary for four days the end of July. The funny part of that was that I took Mary to se "Jersey Boys" one day. The next day when talking by phone to my husband, he asked what I had planned for that day. I told him I was going to take her to the mall. He asked about taking her to another movie but she couldn't follow a plot. He suggested that since she enjoyed the music of "Jersey Boys" and wouldn't remember that she had already seen it, that I take her again....and I did. It was amazing how quickly she deteriorated after that. I went back for five days the end of October and she couldn't't feed herself, walk or talk. I knew at that time that we had totally lost our "Star". I helped find another facility for her to move to and started praying that The Lord would take her peacefully to be with Him and her Ralph. My husband and I flew to Arizona to attend her fineral which was held yesterday. We wanted to support her kids and grand kids. Both Mary and Ralph were cremated and we will have a memorial service and burial at Mt Hope cemetery in Topeka in the summer of 2015. 

Sharon K. Weber (Scarbrough)

Mary was a neat and fun person to be around in H S and was always friendly to everyone.  It is sad that she had to suffer so much.  Sending prayers to all of you who were her close friends.

David P. Thompson

Reading, through my tears, Marcia's account of her friendship with Mary Starbuck makes me understand the true meaning of "Friends Forever."  Thank you Marcia for your loving spirit and devotion. 

Dennis Hawver

At THS Mary was always pretty, friendly, smiling and caring. I'm sorry that her last few years were so tragic. As these comments show, she was loved, and I guess that is what really matters in a person's life , to love and be loved. Let's all remember that.    Dennis Hawver

K. Joleen Johnston (Billington)

My tears are many for one of the dearest "Friends Forever" I could ever have had. I was fortunate to have her in

several classes in high school and we remained freinds going on trips together until just a few years back.

What a delite she always brought to our group. Some day we will meet again and continue that friendship. 

Kathleen (Kay) Loebsack (Mettner)

I find it hard to believe that we are losing so many wonderful people we grew up with.  Mary was a kind and wonderful person to all she came in contact with.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Thank God she is not suffering anymore.  Love to all