Mary Colette Hull passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, in Hiawatha, Kansas. Mary was born in Saint Rose Hospital, Great Bend, KS, to Evelyn and Byron Hull in 1952.
Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Communications in 1974 from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, KS, and her Master of Arts in Speech Communication in 1993 from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
As she was earning her undergraduate degree, Mary worked as costume designer for the college theatre department and appeared in many of the college’s theatre productions. Upon graduation, Mary was on the faculty of Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, Wichita, KS. She enjoyed her time there, producing the school’s main stage theatre productions and teaching classes in speech and theatre. Mary went on to work for the University of Missouri (KC) in its costume design area, as an assistant to noted designer Vincent Scassellati. Both Scassellati and department head Dr. Patricia McIlrath praised Mary’s dedication.
Mary was a teacher, a musician, and a writer. She had an immense passion for the theatre. She pursued singing as a pastime throughout her life, and she enjoyed hiking and camping in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of many years (Steven Birdsey Klacsmann), brother Christopher N. Hull, and sister Julia Hull McCurry. She is survived by two sisters and four brothers.
Before her death, Mary Colette identified the following organizations for charitable contributions in her name: Freedom from Religion Foundation (ffrf.org) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (peta.org).
Mary Colette Hull was laid to rest in a private ceremony on July 19, 2025.
“Sleep, my child and peace attend thee
All through the night
Guardian Angels I will send thee,
All through the night” – from the Welsh hymn
