The graveside service for Mary Ellen Beach, 86 year-old Enid resident, will be 11:00AM Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverend Tom Stanley and Reverend Don Johnson officiating. Services are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. Viewing will be 8:00am-8:00pm Tuesday, January 5, 2021 with family present from 5:00-7:00pm at the funeral home. Masks are required at all services.

Mary was born September 2, 1934 in Enid to Earl A. Gifford and Julia (Hopwood) Gifford and died Thursday, December 31, 2020 in her home in Enid. She attended Enid Schools graduating with the class of 1952. She attended OSU then transferred to Phillips University where she graduated with a degree in Education. While attending OSU, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She started her teaching career at Wilson, where she also attended grade school, then taught at Taft Elementary before accepting a Principal position back at Wilson. She then accepted a position at Coolidge Elementary as their Principal, where she stayed until her retirement in 1998.

She married Dick Beach and out of that union Suzanne, Diane, and Julie were born. She later married Laurence (Larry) Swink. She was past President of EEA and OEA. She also volunteered for CASA. She was Treasurer of the Christian Caregivers at Central Christian Church., and delivered Meal on Wheels. She was the long-time organizer and record-keeper of the class of 1952 reunions, including the EHS Alumni Board. She also served as Secretary on the board of the Sons and Daughters of the Cherokee Strip and acted as Secretary of the Enid and Garfield County Library Board as well as the Enid Cemetery Board.

She loved to play bridge, and root for all things OSU Cowboy!!!! But she mostly loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Larry, of the home; daughters, Helen Little and husband, Greg and their children and grandchildren; Suzanne Summers and husband, Randy of Lindsay, OK; Diane Beach and Julie Beach, both of Enid; twin sister, Margy Weldon of Enid and her children; grandchildren, Craig Summers; Shannon Bernstein and husband, Eric of Piedmont and four great-grandchildren, Johnathon, Kayden, Jacobi, and Jeter.

Memorials may be given to Caregivers of Central Christian Church or Hospice Circle of Love with Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home acting as custodian of the funds.