Mary Hope (Walker) Price of Edina, died Wednesday November 29, 2023 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Mary Hope Walker was born May 30, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida to Fred McKinley Walker and Hope (Leeper)) Walker. She was welcomed home by her two brothers, Fred McKinley Walker Jr. and Garth Walker. Her brothers and their future wives and families were dearly loved by Mary her entire life. The majority of her early years were spent in the south, with frequent trips to the family’s Ohio roots to visit family and friends. She graduated from Russell High School in Fulton County, Georgia – Class of 1949 – and went on to attend Duke University. At  Duke she met her future husband, Robert McCollum Price Jr. The couple was married on August 21, 1952 at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. Thus began a remarkable 68 year marriage filled with adventures of all sorts.

Mary’s first love was for her family, her husband Bob, her three daughters Delice, Mary and Carrie, her granddaughters Carrie Elizabeth and Jennifer and her 5 “greats” ,Thomas, Alexa, John Robert, Emmeline and Mary Elizabeth plus her extended families. She never wanted to miss a family gathering and made every effort to be there, usually with a gift in hand.

For 50-plus years Mary owned Paddlewheel Newfoundlands, raising, training, and exhibiting purebred Newfoundland dogs. She was known to be a conscientious and knowledgeable owner and judge, always at the forefront of improving the breed. As such she served the Newfoundland Club of America as a board member, membership chairman and 30 year delegate to the American Kennel Club. She also served  on the Partners Advisory Board for the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine. Her dogs earned 100’s of titles and awards at prestigious events around the globe and still she liked nothing better than going out to the backyard to hug her big,furry canine friends.

Mary appreciated the beauty around her. She was an avid supporter of the arts, be it dance, opera, theatre, music or art itself. One of her lasting gifts to those who mourn her passing is the great appreciation for the arts instilled in us by her example. Never miss a performance and always keep the program. She loved the gardens of the world and in particular the Sarah P. Duke gardens in Durham, North Carolina. She served on their board of advisors for multiple terms over 20 years, cultivating lasting friendships along with beauty. She loved to travel, logging millions of miles and wonderful experiences over the years. She was equally at home in her favorite London hotel or on her farm in rural Freeborn County, Minnesota

Mary was raised to espouse the ideals of grace, generosity and charm. Anyone who spent any amount of time with her could not help but recognize these qualities. Those who knew her best would also be aware of an inner core of southern steel that carried her throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brothers and sisters-in-law, a nephew, favorite cousins and many dear friends. Left to carry on without her are, daughters Elizabeth Delice Price-Meland (Greg), Mary Leeper Hubbard, Carrie McCollum Walkiewicz, granddaughters Carrie Elizabeth Eyler (Brian) and Jennifer Anne Dill (Jonathon)  great- grandchildren Alexa Anne Dill, Thomas Brian Eyler, John Robert Eyler Emmeline Elizabeth Dill and Mary Elizabeth Eyler plus seven nieces and nephews and very special cousins. A service in her memory will be held January13,2024 at the Washburn/McReavy Funeral Home in Edina at 2 pm. Internment will be at the Sarah P Duke gardens in May. Memorials may be made to the AKC Canine Health Foundation, the Sarah P Duke Gardens or a charity of choice.