Mary LaDell Bruce (née Cogdell) passed on peacefully in Flower Mound, Texas, on December 27, 2016 at the age of 84.
LaDell is survived by her son, Steven Owen, Sr./wife Kim of Double Oak, daughter Darby Binder of Denton, daughter Julie Sevier/husband Steve of Oak Point, and grandchildren Jennifer Ciccarello, Steven Owen, Jr., Heidi Binder, Ryan Binder, Greg Owen, Levi Mitchell, Brett Sevier, Torie Sevier, and great-grandchildren Ava Ciccarello, Ethan Ciccarello, Rylon Binder, Cruz Clark, Myla Owen, and Hazel Binder. LaDell is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Alma Cogdell of Denton, sister Margie Faye Cogdell, and husband Joe Bruce of Denton.
LaDell was born in Argyle, Texas on February 18, 1932 to Tom and Alma Cogdell.
LaDell began first grade and was advanced to second grade after only two days because her grandfather had already taught her to read, write, and do simple arithmetic.
LaDell started taking piano lessons at age nine. When she was in the seventh grade, she became the second pianist to the church pianist and played every Sunday. Later, she was the pianist and organist at several churches and community events.
She attended Denton High School as an honors student and President of the Science Club, then graduated at the age of 16 and moved to Fort Worth to begin college courses at Texas Wesleyan. She began a career as an administrative professional in the Nuclear Engineering Department at General Dynamics. She taught shorthand to some of the engineers and developed a love of teaching. She then moved back to Denton and earned her bachelor's degree in education at TWU and her master's degree in education at the University of North Texas. She taught third, fourth, and sixth grades at Newton Rayzor Elementary in Denton, and retired after 30 years of service. Her former students and peers will remember her as "Mrs. Thornton" at the beginning of her teaching career.
LaDell was an innovative teacher who, on her own initiative, chose to teach her students basic Spanish. Her classroom bulletin board featured a blue elephant floating down a river balancing on a soda bottle to represent to students that anything is possible and to follow their dreams.
A lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, she became the Treasurer for the Denton chapter after her retirement and continued that position until 2015.
One of LaDell's favorite destinations was her and husband Joe's lake property at Lake Texoma, where they would go out on their boat to fish and water ski. She was the first one to teach several of her grandchildren how to fish.
LaDell loved competition and never shied away from a challenge. Whether it be dominoes, Scrabble or pursuit of the next royal flush, she always played her hand to perfection. Her family and friends knew quite well that when they sat down at the table with LaDell, she meant business!
A funeral service is scheduled on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Mulkey Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust St., Denton. Visitation will begin at 1pm and the funeral service will begin at 2pm, with a graveside service following at Swisher Cemetery, Lake Dallas, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Vitas Hospice, 723 S. I-35E, #228, Denton, Texas. Condolences can be sent to www.mulkeymasondenton.com .
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Vitas Hospice and The Oaks Assisted Living of Flower Mound, and dear friends Kathy Murdock and Cheryl Garsee of Denton, Texas.