Marcella “Marcy” Lyn (Fevurly) Bray
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Marcella Lyn (Fevurly) Bray, 61, born July 13, 1960, chose to end her journey on this earth earlier this month. Marcy, as she was known to everyone, was born in Leavenworth, KS, the daughter of the late Alfred Kenneth Powell and the late Meredith Ann Reynolds. She was later adopted by the late James Robert Fevurly, joining her sisters in becoming members of this now large, combined, loving family. Marcy is survived by her sons, Edward Malachi Bray, Aurora, CO, and Peter Reynolds Bray, Chicago, IL; her brothers Keith Fevurly (Peggy), Highlands Ranch, CO; Chris Fevurly (Jane), Lawrence, KS; and her sisters Deb Winterscheidt (Dan), Johnstown, PA; Carol Cleek, Lawrence, KS; Anna Oliver (Craig), Colorado Springs, CO; and Karen Mitchell (Mark), Lenexa, KS. Marcy was a loving aunt to her fourteen nieces and nephews, two great nieces and her great nephew, all of whom will miss her dearly.
Marcy was raised in Leavenworth, KS and graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Education in 1983. After a student blew up a bathroom with fireworks during her student teaching practicum, Marcy decided at that moment maybe teaching wasn’t for her after all. She laughed (and shuddered) about that experience for many years after. Marcy held a variety of jobs throughout her life. One of her proudest accomplishments was being a big part of her sister Karen’s restaurant, Bleu Tomato. It was Marcy who encouraged hosting an art gallery of rotating artists in the restaurant. Marcy’s recent years were spent as a member of the retail staff at The Merc Co+op in Lawrence, KS, where she loved working with the public and participating in The Merc’s community garden, “Growing Food Growing Health”. Marcy was an avid volunteer for organizations such as Catholic Charities and was also a long-time member of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.
During her marriage and as an Army wife, Marcy and family lived in many locations across the country. While stationed in Germany, Marcy “mastered” the Autobahn (or so she claimed – those of us who experienced her driving are doubtful). Most importantly, Marcy was able to travel throughout Europe during this period. When her younger sisters came for an extended stay, they ventured out on many day trips exploring throughout Germany, always finding unique cafés, getting lost in new cities, enjoying museums, discovering small shops filled with art and all kinds of unique objects and, maybe most of all, people watching.
As a creative being, art was an integral part of Marcy’s soul. She sought many outlets and expressed her creativity in a variety of means. Marcy needed to be surrounded with art in many forms. She expressed herself wildly through her exploration with use of color, pattern, and textiles in her home, by her talents in the kitchen, and in her love of music. Marcy was always surrounded by beautiful things from nature. Anyone who stepped through her front door was immediately taken in by her inherent sense of style and decor. We all admired her aesthetic and wished we could emulate her effortless style. Marcy’s mind was always curious, so it’s no surprise that she was also a voracious reader. In her last year, Marcy took up photography as her newest artistic lens, studying the works of famous photographers, such as her favorite, Dorothea Lange, while developing her own perspective and skill. Her adage was to always have her camera with her, to look at the mundane details of the world through an artist’s eye, and to be ready to take a snap whenever the opportunity arose.
Marcy truly loved and in return was beloved by her sons. She was a receptive, involved, open-hearted parent, always ready to lend a sympathetic ear, offer her unconditional love and support, urge leaps toward ever higher stars, and share a radiantly happy laugh. She kept her sons in her closest orbit, raising and nurturing them with warmth and care, encouraging their pursuits and interests with genuine “where-to-next?” curiosity, cheering their adventures and soothing their losses, and sharing dear friendship with them as adults over a lively group chat or a home-cooked meal.
Marcy was a cherished and devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend who was loved deeply. She filled our world with warmth, love, light, and happiness. A common response from Marcy when she would be visiting with family and people she would encounter in her day to day life was, “It makes me so happy to see you being happy.” She was genuine in her concern for others. Marcy was an easy to please person with a great love for her boys, music, art, and a good glass of wine.
And yet, despite the love she showered upon and received from others, Marcy battled a life of mental illness that in the end would claim her captive. And so, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be directed to The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 200 Main Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online donations may be made at http://bertnash.org/donate/ or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
There will be a memorial service honoring Marcy’s life at a later date.
Marcia we will miss you every day.
Aunt Beth and uncle David Reynolds
From Brenda and Frank Frauhammer:
To the entire family we are so sorry for the loss of your dear sweet sister, Aunt, cousin , Mother, friend Marcy was to many people. I remember flying to Kansas on an airplane when we were kids. I flew by myself for $30, while my dad was standing at the gate of the airport making sure i got off ok. I arrived to Leavenworth with cousins waiting to go camping that summer. We had the best time! She made me laugh so much! I always had tears running down my face when Marcy was around. Many hours of playing in cubbies and hiding places at Aunt Merediths house. I will always remember Marcy and think of laughter. I know she is in heaven wrapped in Aunt Merediths arms and they are laughing and catching up. Our sincere heartfelt sympathies to everyone. Hugs and XXXX BRENDA AND FRANK FRAUHAMMER
May Marcy Rest In Peace in the loving care of our Lord.
My heart hurts for all of you.
Karen, Mark & family,
What a beautiful obituary. Marcy, as you described and the obit described, seemed to be a beacon of light.
I am so sorry mental illness clouded her star. May she forever shine brightly in Heaven with an extra twinkle to show those who loved her that she still shines brightly just in a different place.
My love to all
Julie Poulos, Mark’s cousin
We send our deepest condolences to all who loved Marcy. You are in our prayers as you try to find peace and comfort in your memories.
Oh, this is so sad, and my deepest condolences to the family! Marcy was always so warm, friendly, and loving to us at the Merc, and she really connected with our son Forest, who worked there for a long stretch. She was a bright and gentle light, and may your memories of her be a blessing.
We are sorry to hear of Marcy’s passing and the health challenges she experienced. Please know that your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Stephen & Cindy (Carttar)
What a beautiful obituary. We were neighbors with Marcy years ago in Lawrence. My kids and I were talking about Marcy a couple days ago and we remember how sweet she was. She always loved our little baby girls….maybe she needed a dose of our little girls in a home full of testosterone! When Naomi and Rachel were little they would go pick flowers where the street dead ended because Marcy always planted purple straw flowers there and she didn’t mind if our girls picked them. She was a very sweet soul and I know you will miss her dearly. I’m praying that God will be very present with you all as you grieve her loss.
I worked with Marcy at the Merc. I always loved hearing her pages over the intercom; they were so bright and cheery, always starting with “Good morning” or “Good afternoon.” Always very thorough and thoughtful, Marcy certainly made my job easier, but also she was just a joy to be around, brightening everyone’s days. I am so sad to hear the news of her passing, and the circumstances are heart-breaking. I wish I had known her better, but I am glad for the time I spent with her. This is a beautiful obituary, and she was clearly loved by many. I will miss her infectious laugh <3
My deepest sympathies go out to Marcy’s family and loved ones. You’ve told such a beautiful story about her life, and I wish I’d had the chance to know her better. I worked with Marcy at the Merc. She always had words of encouragement for me when I was struggling with my work and class load, and I often felt that she believed in my capabilities more than I did. Marcy was always a bright spot in my day and I will miss her dearly.
Marcy’s uncle, Alan Reynolds married my sister, Sharon. I remember Marcy’s beautiful mother and I can see Marcy was as special as Meredith was.
Mental illness has taken another bright, talented, and special woman. “Suicide is not chosen. It happens when pain exceeds the resources for coping with pain”. I found this quotation several years after my daughter died from the same disease of mental illness.
May Marcy rest in peace surrounded by loved the ones that have gone before her.
I knew Marcy only as a customer of the MERC. We had short two-to-three minute conversations as I checked out. But, she was a vivid and curious soul who wanted to get to know people even in that busy environment. We connected over photography, an interest we both shared. She always remembered details of things I said to her. Little things shared in small bits of time let me know what kind of person she was. I will miss seeing her and send my condolences to those who love her.
Marcy was a bright light for me in my own mental health struggles. I was previously her supervisor at the Merc and will always remember her interview. I hope I can emulate her childlike energy and radiant smile for others. She would constantly boast about her family and I send all my love to them.
Learning about Marcy is heartbreaking. She was such a kind soul and always curious about everyone. We will miss her smile and graciousness at Mercantile and hope her presence is always close to all her family and friends. Marcy left her mark on many of us.
Dear Chris and Jane, so sorry of your loss..Depression is a horrible disease.,we are praying for you. Celeste and Bob Trepinski
Our love, sympathy and prayers go out to Malachi and Pete and the entire family. The obituary is beautiful and captures Marcy perfectly. She was a dear, sweet soul who loved her boys so much. We pray for Marcy and for all to find some comfort knowing she is free from the pain of mental illness.
So sorry for your loss! Will be praying for you and yours to find comfort!
To Marcy’s entire family I send my condolences. I met Marcy when she came to work at Bed Bath and Beyond, before she went to work at the Mercantile. As others have stated she was kind and helpful and caring with people she worked with as well as with customers. I got the opportunity to get to know Marcy when she came to stay with me before moving to Lawrence. She will be missed very much. There are several at Bed Bath and Beyond who have expressed how much they will miss her too. Thank you to the family for writing such a beautiful obituary. It really described her to a T. I am sorry she suffered from the mental illness of depression.
I worked with Marcy at The Merc for some time, she was such a beautiful and kind hearted soul that talked with me in the early mornings about anything and everything. She was always open to listening to me when I was having problems in life and gave me advice on how to fix things. I always made sure to ask that she was doing good as well. It really breaks my heart to hear of her passing now being 700 miles away in Fargo North Dakota. I hope that now she will be at peace.
The gardening crew of Growing Food Growing Health sends our love and thoughts your way. Marcy believed in our work and was an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer – working in rain or shine, covered with mud, or crawling along the ground pulling weeds. At the end of each workday we gather in circle to share our thoughts about the work of the day. Marcy would openly share her feelings and insights. We will miss her bright spirit and energy. We have made a donation to Bert Nash in her memory and will continue to imagine her in the garden with us.
This might just be the best obituary I have ever seen for one of us ‘normal’ folks. I am certain the process of writing it was bittersweet, and yet I applaud the beautiful prose.
I had the honor of meeting Marcy for the first time in an interview. Her energy and eagerness to learn and help were evident from the jump. My experiences with Marcy both at the store and working in the gardens are treasured memories. As Erin Shea says above her pages over the intercom were notable and comforting.
I count myself fortunate to have shared the path with this wonderful woman for the time we had. I hope that Marcy, and all those privileged to share her orbit find the peace they seek. We are all just walking each other home… Be here, Now.
I am so sorry your loss. Marcy was such a great friend of mine during school as was your whole family. I never would have have known due to her her happiness and love for others. My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Marcy was a godsend to my husband while I was ill during the spring of 2020. He would visit The Merc almost daily to ease his stress. Marcy and he had a jovial rapport that I was so happy to witness after I recuperated. She was unfailingly kind to both of us, and we loved visiting with her, however briefly, each time we saw her.
Our condolences to all who loved her.
-Ingrid & Tommy Pearson