Oct. 21, 1918 – March 7, 2011

Mary Nell Frey of Waukesha died Monday, March 7, 2011, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 92. She was born Oct. 21, 1918, in Fond du Lac, the daughter of Robert B. and Gwyndolyn (nee Somerville) Dunlap.

She lived in Waupun until the age of 10, then moved to La Grange, Ill., before finally settling in Waukesha in 1935. Nell was a 1936 graduate of Waukesha High School. Her family home stood on the southwest corner of Main and Barstow streets, where Avalon Square now stands. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated from Carroll College in 1940 with a degree in history and education. Upon graduation, she attended a secretarial school in Milwaukee. For 18 years she worked in the insurance department at Falk Corp. Nell was the first woman pilot in Waukesha County, earning her pilot’s license during World War II under the Civil Air Patrol at Crites Field. On Jan. 30, 1942, she married Keith Frey in Waukesha. He preceded her in death Sept. 23, 1993.

She was a member of the Beacon Lights Club, Merrill Hills Country Club, RSVP and St. Matthias Episcopal Church. She enjoyed golfing, singing at the piano bar at Aliota’s and playing bridge and had been in the same bridge club for more than 60 years. Her wonderful dry sense of humor will be missed by those whose lives she touched. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, wife and friend.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Nancy Ross of Nevada, Mo., and Scott (Lynn) Frey of Sanibel Island, Fla. She was the dear grandmother of Robert (Sue) Frey, Zack (Angela) Frey, Rob Hulburt, and Scott and David Ross. She is further survived by six great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Keith and brother Robert.

Graveside services will be held Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. at Prairie Home Cemetery. Please meet at the cemetery office. Visitation will take place Saturday, March 12, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the chapel at Avalon Square, 222 Park Place in Waukesha. The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Don Clarke presiding (please note service time change).

Memorials in Mary Nell’s name are appreciated to Carroll University, 100 N. East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186; St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 111 E. Main St., Waukesha, WI 53186; or the Waukesha Service Club, 1444 S. West Ave., Waukesha, WI 53189.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral Home at 547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave an online tribute.