Mary Alice McKenzie
A brilliant light has passed on. Mary Alice McKenzie died suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Mary was a kind, magical, and loving mother, wife, daughter and sister. She left the world a better place with her genuine kindness and generosity. She will be missed immensely.
She and her best friend and partner of 32 years, John Schulte, made an incredible life and family together. They raised two beautiful daughters with warmth, joy, and compassion. They were true life partners, and constantly embarked on new adventures together.
Mary was born in Casper, WY in 1963 and moved to Sterling, Colorado as a child. She graduated high school class of 1981 and was active in the theater. Throughout her life, Mary was a talented musician, both in voice and the piano. She loved to share the joy of music with people and instilled a love of music in both her daughters.
She attended the University of Colorado, graduating cum laude in political science and international affairs. After college, she was a part of a successful senate campaign and worked in Washington DC for Senator Tim Wirth.
She then pursued a law degree from Suffolk University where she met the love of her life, John Schulte. She had a wonderful intellect, a sharp wit, and a generous sense of humor. She practiced law in MA, and, after the birth of her second daughter, she chose to be a full-time mother, spreading her gifts to others in that fulfilling capacity.
Mary loved to travel, and she and John took every opportunity to visit their family in NYC, MD, CT, and MA. In college, Mary studied and worked in France and she shared her love of France and of travel with her family.
She is survived by her husband John Schulte, daughters Abigail and Anna Schulte, her mom, Helen McKenzie. Her in-laws John Francis and Rosemary Schulte, her sisters Laurie (Beth Frye), Katherine (Craig Crews), Sandy (Kevin Schulte). Sister-in-law Amy Warchol (Dan). Nieces and nephews Alison Davis Zwyicke, Jessica Davis, Cecilia Crews, Andrew Crews, Jake Schulte, Kate Schulte, Alexa Warchol, grand nieces and nephews, Joshua and Ahbela Davis-Pitts, Fritz and Maple Zwyicke. She was preceded in death by her Dad, Robert McKenzie.
SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church Street, Amherst, NH. Burial will be private in the spring.
To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.smith-heald.com for more information.
Arrangements are in the care of the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to charity of ones choice.