Mary Nell (Donahue) Seed

Mary Nell (Donahue) Seed died at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland on May 26, 2010, in the loving presence of her family. She was laid to rest at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Va. Mary Nell was born April 14, 1944, and raised in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents, Murt and Eloise Donahue; her brother, Father Thomas Donahue; and her two sons, Mark and Ryan Seed. Mary Nell graduated from Mount Saint Mary's Academy in 1961. She then had an outstanding four years at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, graduating in 1965. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was a Senior Counselor during her junior year at UA and had the distinction of being chosen for Mortar Board and Who's Who in American Colleges in her senior year. After college graduation, Mary Nell later moved to St. Louis, Mo. and did graduate work in the schools of Social Work and Education at St. Louis University. Mary Nell met her husband, Jack Seed, in St. Louis and they married Dec. 30, 1967, in Little Rock. They lived in St. Louis and raised five children. Mary Nell was active in volunteering at the schools of her children and in charitable organizations. She worked as a teacher and later in retail. Mainly, she was a superb homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. Mary Nell and Jack moved to Alexandria, Va., in 2001 to be close to family. Mary Nell is survived by her husband, Jack, daughters Mollie Lorber in Woodland Hills, Calif., Kelly Bucceri in Alexandria, Va. and Katie Ferguson in Gaithersburg, Md. and nine grandchildren. Mary Nell will be remembered best for taking such loving care of her family throughout her life. She also had an abundance of warmth and charm and had the unique ability to make people feel instantly at ease and important in her presence. She always had a bright and engaging smile and a kind word for everyone she met. She never knew a stranger. She was loved by many and will be missed terribly, especially by her family. (Family may be contacted at jackandmarynell@gmail.com.)