Dr. Mary Hope Underwood, 95, of Sun City, AZ passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30th, 2025.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, Feb. 12th, 2025, at the Alderson Cemetery, Atchison, KS with the Rev. Dr. Rachel Dannar officiating. Services are under the care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com

Mary “Hope” was born on Oct. 21, 1929, in Atchison, KS, the daughter of Courtney and Lila M. (Chalfant) Underwood. She graduated from Atchison High School on May 23, 1947. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas City on May 3, 1953, her Master’s of Arts degree in Education from University of Kansas City on June 3, 1956 and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago on June 8, 1973. Hope was a Professor of Child Development at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She was married to Robert J. Ulrich in 1976. They lived in Whitewater, WI until their retirement. They moved to Sun City West, AZ in 1990. She was a member and Elder of the Faith Presbyterian Church, Sun City West, AZ.

Survivors include three nieces Judith (Auchard) Floyd, Bethany, MO, Janet (Auchard) Blain, Springfield, IL, and Julie (Grill) Burdick, Aurora, CO, two nephews John Newlin Grill, Aurora, CO, and Gary Lynn Auchard, Leavenworth, KS and friend and caregiver Stephanie Murphy, Sun City, AZ.