Mary Beth Payne

Mary Beth Spencer Payne, 53, of Lisbon, Iowa, passed away, on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, after a short battle from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She is survived by her husband, Sean Payne; brothers, Scott Spencer and Steve Spencer; children, Austin Priborsky, Bailey Spahr, Allison Payne, Alexis Payne, and Ryder Gillespie; and two grandchildren, Anya Cleveland and Montana Meyer. These are among the many that live to carry her memory, from all of the laughing moments to all of the hearts that were blessed by her presence. Mother, Best Friend, Wife. There are only so many words that you can use to try to define her, but in doing so, it is impossible to catch everything that made her Mary Beth. Mother. To say that she created and maintained a loving environment and home is, to say the least, about her. She was a mother to five grateful children; there is no way that this love will not continue with her children's children. Best Friend. Her humor and personality were infectious; everywhere she would go, she could make a friend, make someone laugh, or support them in their hardest times. We know that her memory is strong in all of these connections that made the wonderful web of her personal life. Wife. Perhaps one of the most important relationships in her life. She poured all of her love, care, and affection into her partner, Sean Payne. This man and her family were with her through the roughest period in her life. The love she gave, the relationships she made, and the care she had, all paid forward to this moment where a diverse community came together to comfort and care for her in the last year. For those who have had the experience of losing someone from any sort of disease, we know that illness is a killer and a thief. We lose loved ones and friends too soon; we see how illness can steal away time and lives. What we also know is that the impact and love that was given cannot be taken. In everything that her friends and family do, we will see little pieces of Mary Beth shine brightly. A gentle reminder that she changed so many people; a reminder that she will never truly be gone. While those who remain will feel like they have lost a loved one, we know that there will come a day when a smile will cross their face at a memory of her. They didn't just survive but will find that their life thrived from this beautiful soul, gone too soon. Even in the end, Mary Beth kept a smile on her face and was concerned that people were giving too much. She knew that everyone who was there to help was doing so because of the love they had for her. And to those who didn't know about her condition, she did not love them less; she wanted you all to remember her laugh, joy, and life as it was before. The loss of a family member is hard; let Mary's memory be a reminder that there is always time to reach out and tell your loved ones how much they mean. There will be a Celebration of Life for Mary Beth on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 11:00-2:00 p.m., at the Tin Roof in Lisbon, Iowa. Instead of any flowers or donations, the family asks that all proceeds be donated to the ASLA Foundation to support other families that are going through similar situations. There will be a benefit in her honor on April 6, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. also at the Tin Roof. There will be a silent auction and gathering. Proceeds will go to the family.