Scottsdale, Arizona - Obituary: Mary Frances King, Dec. 22, 1932 - April 27, 2026

Scottsdale History Hall of Fame member Mary Frances King passed away April 27, 2026 at age 93.

She was one of the chief founders of Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS -- originally Scottsdale Foundation for the Handicapped), and its supporting charity, Las Madrinas, in 1973. In building STARS, she drew on experience with the nonprofit sector in Los Angeles, where she had helped establish the Atwater Park Center for handicapped children in the late 1960s.

Mary was inducted into the Scottsdale History Hall of Fame in 2012.

Mary was the daughter of Miles "Red" Neely of Florence, a rancher and businessman, and Ethel (nee Moore) Neely. Born in Kerrville, Texas, Mary graduated from Norwalk (California) High School in 1950. She was a California state champion on the Pepperdine University debate squad, earning her bachelor's in 1954.

Relocating to Scottsdale in 1972, she worked in the city's planning department, then became a resource teacher for at-risk students and debate coach at Arcadia High School and later Coronado High School. She earned a Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University in 1975.

Active in local, state and national politics in both California and Arizona, she served as a personal debate coach to Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr., of California. Later, she managed the campaign of Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater and city council member Dick Campana.

Mary wed Donald M. King, an engineer for Motorola (now retired), in 1975. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale. She had a deep love for and took pride in her family. Mary and her husband Donald King were frequent donors to Arizona Christian University. The university named a theater in their honor.

As the years passed Mary spent more time at a cabin built by Red in Strawberry. She enjoyed watching the wildlife passing through the property, hosting family visits, listening to classical music, and debating the latest political issues from the kitchen table.

She held several other recognitions from the city, including the Drinkwater Leadership award (2012), the Scottsdale MLK Diversity Champion (2011) and the Frances Young Community Hero award (2009).

She is survived by her husband, two sons and five stepdaughters: Brenda Day of Phoenix; Rhonda Scott (Michael) of Prescott; Neely Snyder (Christine), of San Antonio; Miles Snyder (Kim), of Oroville, Calif.; Lori King of Black Canyon City; Colleen Edmonson (Steve) of Lacys Spring, Ala.; and Kristen Russo (Daryl) of Birmingham, Ala.; 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Dixie Lee Franklin, and her brother, Patrick.

A memorial service is planned for May 24 at 1 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale, 7025 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to STARS, 7507 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale AZ 85251. Visit https://www.starsaz.org/