Mary Albert Sparrow

Mary Albert Sparrow passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Always kind-hearted and giving, her outlook on life was positive and optimistic. She was born on January 22, 1938 in Dallas to Warren Albert and Albertine Oxley Albert. She had a happy childhood in Dallas, growing up in Highland Park where she graduated in 1955. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she remained in Dallas, where her first two children were born. In 1962, Mary moved to Canada and spent ten years there, where she had her third and fourth child. The family then moved to Colorado for seven years before moving back to her native Texas and spent the last 22 years living in Tyler. Mary had many interests and hobbies, including the love of cooking for her family. She was an avid collector of cookbooks and eventually created her own, with her favorite recipes, titled, “Life is Short – Eat Dessert First.” She was proud to have been recognized in several publications. She later used her expertise as a house mother for the Pi Phi Sorority at SMU, where she was responsible for meal planning. Fashion was also a lifelong passion which culminated in her opening two retail shops of her own in Fredericksburg, TX. She enjoyed the social interaction with her customers as much as selling the clothing. Mary loved watching movies and all things “Hollywood” and dreamt of being a “movie star” when she was a young girl. This became a reality when she was cast as an extra in several movies and then later performed in community theatre. In her retirement, Mary enjoyed planning vacations and travelling with her family. Cruising was her favorite mode of travel, as she loved being on the water and seeing new places. At last count, she had been on over fifty cruises. Mary was active in her church wherever she lived, as well as her involvement with P.E.O. In Tyler, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church and active in the Women’s Circle One Club. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Robert Sparrow and her children, Elaine Nantz and husband Mike of Lexington, KY, Rick McDonald and wife Mary Jane of Fernwood, MS, John McDonald and wife Deedee of Sugarland, and Laura Moon and husband Dave of Yangon, Myanmar. She is also survived by one sister, Barbara Savard of Corydon, IN; one brother, Mike Albert of Frisco, TX and ten grandchildren. Services for Mary will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 in the chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. Memorials may be made in her honor to First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk St., Tyler, TX 75701.

Mary Albert Sparrow

January 22, 1938 - February 13, 2018