Mary Alice Guilfoyle

Jesus awakened her slumber and whispered in her ear...Come spend Christmas in Heaven with me this year. Without hesitation she answered His call, a virtual hug and a smile, and farewell to all. Mary A. Guilfoyle slipped away peacefully at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the late hours on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the age of 95. She was born on September 6, 1929, in Saginaw, Michigan, daughter to Paul Eugene and Emma Louise (Neer) Fitzgerald. Mary was a graduate of Will Rogers High School. She attended Cottey College in Nevada, MO and graduated in June 1949 with an emphasis in History. She secretly yearned to be a docent at Gilcrease Museum. Mary was beautifully scripted. She loved to read. Always a book in her hand. She met her sweetheart, John Guilfoyle at a dance sponsored by Catholic Activities in Tulsa in early 1953. Shortly thereafter John proposed to Mary while they were sitting on a park bench. They were married at Holy Family Cathedral on August 22, 1953. They had six children, Kathy (Lou) Medina; Carol (Jerry) Waddel; Patti (Dan deceased) Cline; Karen (Robert) Orosco; Paul (Lisa) Guilfoyle; and Liz Guilfoyle. Mary has nine beautiful grandchildren, Nikki McGarry, John Orosco, Carrie Orosco (deceased), Samantha Bonnet, Andrea Parrish, Darren Cline, Blake Cline, Shalane Trigg, Mary Alice Waddel, Sami her grand dog and twenty-four great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. Oh, how she loved life - she lived every single day of it. She was our inspiration. One looks no further than the smile on her face, the sparkle in her eyes, the warmth of her hug, the blessings of her prayers, the laughs she shared, the comfort of her quilts, and the sound of her voice. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor, and she loved to laugh. She was so gracious with her time. Her friend, Megan, shared that when you were in the presence of Mary it was as if no one else was in the room. Her attention was completely focused on you. Mary and John were early members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. They were active in many church and school organizations including Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters. The Dominican Sisters would purposely sit in the pew just behind the Guilfoyle's at mass. Seems the young ones were more entertaining and informative than the homily. She discovered quilting later in her life and joined Green Country Quilters Guild. The Guild is known for blanketing the region with warmth and comfort, donating 1800 items each year to many local charities. Mary was creative and passionate, and her kindness was endless. She knitted stocking caps for the homeless and made blankets for children removed from their homes. She loved God and was a devout prayer partner. Mary had a great love for the Blessed Mary, and she was completely devoted to her family. Mary's love language was clearly service to others. Her hands - always busy. She was a coach, cheerleader, seamstress, quilter, homeroom mom, knitting instructor, scrapbooker, volunteer, 4-H leader, county fair judge and last-minute cookie baker. She made baskets - beautiful baskets. Her cross-stitch work was pure art. Her quilts were meticulously planned, stitched with love, and hand delivered - always hand delivered. She loved to travel and journaled her trips. Mary loved the fall of the year and enjoyed trips to Branson, MO. The fall foliage, Silver Dollar City, music festivals, the Front Porch Pickers singing group, and the storytellers. That place spoke to her heart. Mary loved the arts - theatre, ballet, opera, musicals. Ezio Pinza was an early favorite and as a young lady she would take a train to Kansas City to see him. She adored Al Joelsen, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose' Carreras. Who doesn't love Jacques Offenbach's the Can-Can? Mary had a collection of the classics. The Starlight outdoor summer concert series was always a favorite and she and John would gather up the kids in the station wagon and off they would go. Mary loved sharing her passion for history and would take the kids to museums and historic sites. On one occasion, John and Mary took the kids to Ft. Smith, Arkansas National Historic Site. Home of Isaac Parker the famous "Hanging Judge". Upon learning there would be no hanging on that day, her younger daughter stomped her feet and wanted to go home. Mary was never one to let grass grow under her feet. She loved car rides, ice cream cones and chasing sunsets. And did you know she climbed the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico. Just one other reason she carries the esteemed title, "We dare you to keep up with Mary." The family called it breakfast on the rocks...John and Mary would load up the kids and off they would go to Mohawk Park for the best day ever. They served up breakfast for royalty. You could smell the aroma of bacon and coffee for a mile. Afterward, a softball game. Mary surprised them all on one such adventure when she asked if she could bat. Really? Six pair of eyes rolling...six set of shoulders shrugging. You want to bat...ok. The kids all played up short in the field and Mary hit the first pitch for a homerun. How does one spell comeuppance. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals - that was her dream team. She celebrated her 90th and 93rd birthdays at Busch Stadium. She cleared a bucket list item when she attended Opening Day in 2019. We were blessed with two precious angels who took such incredible care of her. Paula Pollard and Nanette Allen blessed Mary with such compassion and kindness. In her las few weeks they worked seamlessly with St. Francis Hospice. Nan and Paula are family and will forever be in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, John, her parents and siblings Julie Ann Biechler and William Lane Fitzgerald. John and Mary led by example. They were equally God-focused with their eyes on the Kingdom. We take measure of our life by who we are and what we have done, the kindness we have shared and our service to others. There's not a gauge accurate enough to describe all-things Mary. She was easy to love and always looking for the next adventure. John waited patiently for Mary, to complete her journey on earth. God's timing was perfect - the event of Christ's birth. Till we meet again mom, we love you a big much! Kathy, Carol, Pat, Karen, Paul and Liz In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary's name to: Green Country Quilters Guild, P. O. Box 35021, Tulsa, Ok 74153-0021. Visitation will be Friday, January 10, 2025, 1:00 - 4:00 PM at Fitzgerald's Ivy Chapel, 14th and So. Boulder Ave, Tulsa. Following Visitation, a Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 PM at The Parish of Christ the King, 1520 So. Rockford Ave, Tulsa. Mass of Christian Burial will also be at Christ the King on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Mary Alice Guilfoyle

September 6, 1929 - December 22, 2024