Mary Mast Pier

Mary Mast Pier passed away April 18, 2013, after enjoying a beautiful and eventful life. She was born March 8, 1918, in Normal, in Grant County, to Lawson and Marie (Greene) Cranor, where she started school in a one room schoolhouse in Point Isabel, before moving to Sycamore.

She was raised in Sycamore graduating from Jackson Township School in 1935. She attended Sunday School at Sycamore Friends Church and was very active in 4-H Club and Junior Leaders, winning many honors in sewing and second place at the Women’s Building at the State Fair, modeling with the L.S. Ayres models.

In June 1947, she married Mark Mast, at the Greentown Methodist Church,  and he preceded her in death in 1968.  In August of 1970,  she married Fred C. Pier of Indianapolis, a longtime friend of the family. He preceded her in death in August 1989.

She was a past member of Phi Chi Epsilon and Delta Theta Omega sororities, YWCA Club, Skyline Club of Indianapolis, Merchants and Manufacturers Club of Chicago, Altrusa International, Research Club, Elks Ladies Auxiliary and the Furniture Club of America.

She was an active member of the Kokomo Country Club for many years, Greentown Historical Society and the Greentown Glass Museum Board, where she was a charter member and former secretary.

In her earlier years, she worked at Reliance factory, Kresge’s, Montgomery Wards, Turners Department Store and Smith’s Goody Shop. Upon her marriage to Mark, she found the job that she really loved at Mast Furniture and Gifts, where she worked for 64 years.

She studied interior design at Indiana University under Geraldine Armstrong Scott. Some highlights of her design career were the planning and decorating of the State Bank of Greentown, areas of the Indianapolis Press Club and the Greentown Glass Museum. Mary always loved her career, and would like to be remembered as someone who helped bring beauty to people’s homes and lives. She attended markets in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, High Point and Frankfurt, Germany. Mary had many wonderful memories of the store throughout the years — purchasing Holly Amber House next door in 1970, 50 years of Holiday Open Houses and when her daughter Sally joined her in business in 1984.

Mary was awarded the Sagamore of the Wildcat from the Greentown Historical Society. In 2008, she received the Century Business award from Governor Mitch Daniels at the statehouse, commemorating Mast Furniture’s 100 years in business, which included a certificate and an engraved crystal vase.

She loved traveling, music, concerts and attending furniture and gift markets. She had many adventures, including dancing with Hoagy Carmichael at the Eisenhower Inaugural Ball and an evening dining with Jayne Mansfield at the Indianapolis Press Club during the 500 festivities.

She is survived by daughter, Sally Mower; granddaughter, Rebecca Sheridan (Christopher); and great-grandson, Colin Horner.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; infant daughters, Rebecca and Susan; and brother, Marcus Cranor.

Funeral services for Mrs. Pier will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main St., Greentown, with Pastor Alan Wyant and Pastor Kevin Sparling officiating. Burial will follow the service in Greenlawn Cemetery, Greentown. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions in her memory can be made to the Greentown Glass Museum and the Greentown Historical Society. In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions in her memory can be made to the Greentown Glass Museum and the Greentown Historical Society.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.