Mary Thompson Denman

EDMOND - Mary Thompson Denman was born to Dr. Wayman J. Thompson and Ruth Vaught Thompson in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on October 25, 1938. Mary attended Linwood Elementary, Taft Jr. High, Classen High School and was a member of the first graduating class of Northwest Classen High School in 1956. She attended Hollins College in Virginia for one year and graduated from the University Of Oklahoma School Of Education with a major in special education. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

After graduating in 1960, she married Rowland Denman. They were married for 63 years.

She was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church as an elder; a Sunday school teacher for children, high school youth and adults; a VBS teacher; a member the first handbell choir; and a member and President of Women of Westminster. Mary was part of the team that led the first Wednesday night children’s activities that eventually became the long-running Youth Club program.

She was a member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City, and clocked many volunteer hours. Among her other favorite projects were putting together Easter baskets for Infant Crisis Services, setting up Christmas shopping for children at the Urban Mission and assisting at Edmond Family Counseling.

She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae, and president of the Oklahoma City Alumnae Panhellenic Association. She followed her mother-in-law into the Art Renaissance Club and was active in her children’s schools in Edmond.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was involved in all the lessons, performances, and school activities. She hosted many after-school impromptu gatherings and always provided snacks and support to the kids who came to her house.

Mary cherished each and every one of her Northwest Classen High School class of 1956 classmates. She organized all of the reunions and took pride in the fact that she found all but 6 of her 615 classmates by the 25th class reunion. She was involved in all aspects of their reunions and enjoyed the comradery and reminiscing at each reunion.

Last year Mary established the Thompson-Denman Family Endowment Scholarship at the University Of Oklahoma College Of Education for the benefit of students who wish to study special education.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Wayman J. Thompson, and her brother, Dr. Wayman J. Thompson, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Rowland Denman and her daughters, Beth DeGraffenreid and husband Robert, and Amy Weisz and husband Paul; grandchildren Jeremy DeGraffenreid and wife Heather, Brooke DeGraffenreid, Rachel Weisz, Elissa Weisz, Sarah Weisz and Jacob Weisz; and great-grandchildren Caden DeGraffenreid, Landry DeGraffenreid, Tatum DeGraffenreid and Abigail Zimmerman.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel, on Monday, June 5, 2023 at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mary’s memory to Infant Crisis Services, Positive Tomorrows or the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Northwest Classen Class of 1956 Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors.