Mary Lee Waits

Mary Lee Waits, daughter of John F. Bishop and Peggy Lee Bishop, of Quail, Texas, and beloved mother to Ike D. Waits and Mary Jo Waits, died at 96 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mary lived, in her words, “a ridiculously amazing life.” She had a varied list of accomplishments in both an education career and a real estate career. She became a world traveler at 73, when she, Mary Jo and Ike decided to travel internationally each year for the entire month of October. She acquired a love of white truffles on pasta in Italy, a love of calamari and beach walks in La Jolla, Calif., a love of champagne and wine in France and a love of Tango in Argentina. She loved all kinds of music and art and met her goal to visit the top opera, ballet and symphony venues in the world. She started competitive ballroom dancing at 80. She loved hats, fresh flowers and decorating for parties at home with family and friends.

Born in Wellington, Texas in 1926 and a graduate of Quail High School, Mary received her bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University in 1957 and her master’s in business in 1959 from the same university.

She had an early, successful career at all levels of education from grade school throuh university level. As Mary Lee Gilbreth, she taught grade school and high school in Quail in the 1950s. She married Bill Waits in 1960 and moved to Canadian, Texas, where she taught high school and directed state scholastic winners in speech and journalism. She moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. in 1962 and became a guidance counselor at Scottsdale High School and Saguaro High School. She also taught career development courses through Arizona State University Education Department.

In 1968, she became the first woman president of the Scottsdale Education Association. For three years, Mary worked to improve teaching conditions, including reducing class size and class load and maintaining a fair salary index for teachers to meet living standards. She also served as president of the Arizona Scholastic Counselor Association in 1969.

After a successful career in education, Mary launched into a long-term real estate career. She acquired, managed and sold multiple residential properties in the Phoenix area. She also built a practice aimed at educating and assisting clients with estate planning and management.

To honor Mary’s life, please donate to your favorite art organization and travel to an unfamiliar place.