Mary Lee (Blackburn) Vader, 90 passed away peacefully on Friday, July 14, 2023 at A New Place Living Center formerly known as New Haven in Odessa, MO.

Mary Lee was born on April 17, 1933 in Kansas City, MO to Robert Parker and Mary Watson Blackburn. Mary Lee was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Independence where she had been attending since a very young child and at one time served on their custodial staff.  She graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1951. Right out of high school she married Clifford Vader where they made their home in Independence while raising their four children before divorcing.

Mary Lee retired from Amoco.  After retirement she loved to tend to her beautiful flower gardens, watching the birds, attending lunches and playing cards at the Senior Center but she especially loved spending time with her family. Mary Lee always loved to cook and was well known for her hot rolls and cinnamon rolls.  She was an excellent seamstress from making a wedding dress for her daughter or sewing for family members on many different occasions. She also loved to crochet and embroidery, read and work puzzles until her eyesight and arthritis no longer allowed her that pleasure. Mary Lee was known for her love and kindness by sending cards not only to her family but members of her church family on their birthdays, anniversary or any special occasion. Mary Lee was very proud of the fact that she was a Blackburn and that Blackburn Elementary School in Independence was named after her grandfather L. F. Blackburn.

Mary Lee was preceded in death by her parents Robert Parker and Mary Elizabeth Blackburn, son in law’s Rick Stone and Brian Burgess.  She is survived by her children: Karen Stone, Larry Vader (Susie), Robert Vader (Dawn) and Diana Burgess, grandchildren: Tiffany Stone, Jennifer Stone Murphy (Danny), Ashleigh Vader Sandifer (Steve), Adam Vader (Brandi), Joshua Vader, Samuel Vader (Taylor), Zachary Vader (Morgan), Lydia Vader, Derek Chafin, Benjamin Burgess and Crystal Burgess.  Fourteen great grandchildren, her sisters Delta Hope Larsen, Joan Marie Harris and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at First Christian Church, 125 S. Pleasant, Independence, MO on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m.  Inurnment following at Blue Springs Cemetery.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO   816-690-4441