Mary Busey

Mary Davis Busey, 360 Laboratory Road, Oak Ridge, died Feb. 26, 2016, of natural causes. Born in Dallas, Texas, April 27, 1919, she was the daughter of Clifford W. and Lucy Shirey Davis. She was the wife of the late Richard Busey, whom she married in 1942. At the close of World War II the couple lived in Berkley, Calif., and in 1952 they moved to Oak Ridge.

Mrs. Busey attended the University of Tenn., then received an Associate Degree from Roane State Community College in 1992. She worked at Y-12 from 1973 to 1976 in the Engineering Division and was an avid exerciser from 1966 until her death. She and her husband travelled, taking study tours to England, Russia, China, Scandinavia, Australia, Italy and Canada as part of Elderhostel programs, also attending many Elderhostels in the U.S.

She helped organize the Oak Ridge interest group of Embroiderers Guild of America. A member of EGA since 1976, she attended the School for Advanced Study in Louisville and was certified Master Craftsman in Counted Thread in 1983 and in Crewel Embroidery in 2008. Also she attended EGA classes in Japanese embroidery with Akiyama of Japan, design and beading classes at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and numerous EGA workshops in crewel, canvas, silk, metal, color and design. She helped design and promote sale of an Oak Ridge Sampler when the city celebrated its 50th anniversary. She submitted a sample of her work and was accepted as qualified to complete a needle point kneeler which was placed in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Mrs. Busey served as a volunteer in a variety of local organizations, including Cub scouts and 13 years with Camp Fire Girls, where she was also executive secretary for three years. At the YWCA she served on the board of directors and taught classes. She was for 26 years a volunteer at Recording for the Blind where she served on the board; she also served as a teacher-trainer with the Tri-County Literacy group where she tutored adults in reading. She helped found the Elm Grove Neighborhood Association, and was a volunteer at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for several years.

Survivors are sons, Robert Busey of Woodstock, Ga., and Clifford Busey of Oliver Springs; daughters, Mimi Cat of Sevierville and Catherine Harris of Hendersonville; eight grandchildren, Beth Croley, Laura Welch, Bryan and David Busey, Jessica and Logan Busey and Natalie and Christopher Harris; four great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.