Mary Alice Moore Graybill, born November 1, 1938, in Atherton, MO, died on August 23, 2022 while in hospice care in Kansas City, MO. She was the third child of Richard and Hazel Moore. Mary graduated from Northeast High School in 1956 and married Dwight Sherman Graybill later that same year on September 7, 1956. Together they had five children as well as opened their home to 14 foster children over a 10-year period. 

Mary pursued higher education in nursing, graduating from Park College with an associate’s degree and becoming licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). She spent her career working with all ages and in a variety of positions, including nurse to a physician at a pediatric practice and Director of Nursing at geriatric facilities, as well as school nurse and Risk Management Coordinator in the Independence School District from which she retired in 2003. She enjoyed serving as a member and president of the Greater Kansas City School Nurse Association and on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Association of School Nurses.

Mary was a person of faith and a member of the Community of Christ church, serving throughout her life in many leadership roles and the priesthood. Mary extended her leadership talents by volunteering in each community within which she lived and worked. She was a dedicated lifelong learner, ever-evolving in her inclusive and global perspective. In addition to her deep love and devotion to her family, Mary’s priorities included a lifetime commitment to advocacy and working in service to others. In 2020, she moved to John Knox Village where she found creative ways to expand her circle of friends, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mary loved the arts and enjoyed singing in various choirs as well as reading and gardening. She was independent, adventurous and unafraid to march (or dance) to the beat of her own drum. Her easy laugh, kindness, and compassionate and calming presence will be dearly missed by those that loved and knew her. 

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Dwight Sherman Graybill; son Timothy George Graybill; and parents, Richard and Hazel Moore;

Mary is survived by her older sisters Betty Johnson and Carol Allen; children, Alice Phillips (Stephen Phillips), Mary Bruch (Tom Bruch), Julia Wesley, and Dwight R. Graybill; grandchildren, Emily Phillips (Brian Kastli), Anna Phillips, Samuel Bruch, and Maxwell Bruch (Zuly Mendoza); great grandchildren, Camille Phillips, Oliver Kastli, Ezra Kastli, Meneno Guzman, and Natalya Brudoza. 

Celebration of Life at 2 PM Saturday, September 10, at Lee’s Summit Community of Christ, 1101 NE Independence Ave, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. In lieu of flowers, please feel welcome to make a donation in Mary’s honor to Outreach International, 112 W 18th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, https://outreach-international.org

Obituary submitted by family.

Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home Independence, MO 816-796-8600