Mary Winifred Lynch Cummings

Mary Winifred Lynch Cummings, 102, of Wichita, Kansas passed away April 16th. Mary was born on April 26, 1921, in Dunkirk, New York, the youngest of 4 children born to Helen and James Lynch. Mary spent her childhood and early adult years in Dunkirk and met her future husband, Bill Cummings, while in school. Mary received her teaching degree from Fredonia State Teachers college in 1942.

In World War II, Mary enlisted in the Navy WAVES and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. She was one of the ranking officers over a unit of 100 young WAVES that were stationed at Vero Beach, Florida. The WAVES assisted the US Air Force with the development and training of young pilots in the use of a new technology at the time, called radar. Seventy years after the war in 2015, Mary, at the age of 94, was one of two women veterans from Kansas that were honored in Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight Network.

After the war, Mary returned to Dunkirk and reunited with her high school sweetheart, Bill Cummings. Mary & Bill were married on September 21, 1946. The first of six children, Robert, was born 9 months later in July 1947. Five more children followed, and the family moved several times as Bill’s career as a chemical engineer and plant manager evolved.

In 1967, Bill took a job as Vice President of Koch Engineering and the Cummings family made one final relocation to Wichita, Kansas from Fredonia, NY. Mary & Bill had many friends in Wichita and enjoyed playing tennis and golf at Crestview Country Club. In 2010, Mary and Bill moved to Larksfield Retirement Community. After 65 years of marriage and companionship, Bill passed away in 2011. Mary stayed active as the library director and an expert bridge player at Larksfield.

Mary is survived by her loving family, six children, eleven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Children, Robert Cummings (Annette), St Simons, GA, Elizabeth Cummings (Karen), Wichita, Louise Blasco, Wichita, Dan Cummings (Pam Harbin) Kansas City, Mark Cummings (Becky), Appleton, WI and Tom Cummings (Lisa), Highlands Ranch, CO. Grandchildren, Davis Cummings (Rachel), Katy Blasco, Nick Blasco (Hannah), Jennifer Dupuy (Mike), Matt Cummings (Susan), Erin Sjostrom (Tyler), Andrew Cummings (Kelsey), Amy Arvold (Aaron), Alex Schmalz (Evan), Brady Cummings, Ethan Cummings. Great grandchildren, Beau & Blake Dupuy, Ellis & Theo Sjostrom, Leo & Callum Cummings, and William Cummings.

The family would like to thank the Robinson Family Caregivers who cared for Mary the past year and a half and allowed her to stay in her cherished Larksfield apartment.

A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 am at St Thomas Aquinas Church with a reception to follow at the Cozine Life Events Center, 11500 E 21st St N in Wichita.

Memorials for Mary Cummings have been established with:

Faith Home Health & Hospice

7309 E 21st St N

Suite 200

Wichita, KS 67206

The Lord’s Diner

520 N. Broadway

Wichita, KS 67214