Mary Lomax Finley passed from this world on May 29, 2026. She was born on November 9, 1944, to Everett and Leah Lomax of Wilsonville, Nebraska. One of eight children, Mary grew up on a family farm south of Wilsonville.

Learning was a life-long passion, she graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1963 as salutatorian. After high school graduation she attended McCook Junior College and received an associates degree in 1965, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Chadron State College in 1967; and subsequently a master’s degree in education from Chadron State in 1982.

She married Tom Finley, of Chadron, Nebraska on June 5, 1970. They lived on a small farm outside of Minatare, Nebraska for 40 years. In 2010 they moved to Greenwood, Indiana to be near their daughter, Sarah, and grandson Colten. While in Greenwood, she made dear friends in her neighborhood through persistent, loving kindness along with banana bread.

Her grandson was her greatest joy in life. Simply known as ‘grandma’ to Colten and his friends. She was always available for homework help, advice, or even a wooden spoon if needed. She took extraordinary pride in being involved with Colten and was looking forward to his upcoming college graduation.

A devoted educator, she began her professional career in 1965 in Grant, Nebraska teaching elementary school. In 1969 she moved to Gering, where she taught fourth and later sixth grade until her retirement in 1997. Reading skills, history, citizenship, and environmental issues were favorite subjects to emphasize with her students.

Outside of the classroom, Mary was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. Baking was one of her love languages, earning her ‘Mary the Baker’ as a nickname. She took pride in being on the Lake Minatare Community Club that developed and published the cookbook, if you know- you know. This love also led her to start an in-home cake decorating business. Countless homemade baked goods were enjoyed by everyone within her circle.

Gardening was another life-long hobby. Ditch banks at the farmhouse in Minatare were transformed into gardens filled with roses, iris, peonies, and baby’s breath. A section of the bottom field was always dedicated to a vegetable garden. During the summer, tomatoes, sweet corn, and many other forms of produce were always on hand.

She remained a loyal fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Indianapolis Colts. Some of her favorite phrases were “touchdown, touchdown, touchdown” and “that’s another Indianapolis Colts first down.”

She is survived by her husband Tom, daughter Sarah, and grandson Colten of Indianapolis, IN, sister Brenda Couch of Windsor, CO, brothers Michael of Lincoln, NE, Kenneth of Hugoton, KS, Donald Joe of Hastings, NE, and Tim of Wilsonville, NE plus numerous nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carolene D’Amadio and brother Richard.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requests that you vote in the upcoming mid-term elections or donate to Teachers’ Treasures, Emily’s List, and or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Indianapolis services will be held on Thursday, June 25th at 5pm at Forrest Lawn Memory Gardens and Funeral Home in Greenwood, with inurnment to follow on Friday June 26th. A celebration of life will be held in Scottsbluff on August 1.