Mary Sullivan Inbody

Mary was born Mary Elizabeth Sullivan on March 4, 1934, to Timothy and Beatrice Sullivan in New York City and passed from this life to her eternal promise in heaven on September 12, 2010.

Mary's parents were both Irish immigrants and she was born and grew up in a colorful and tight knit Irish neighborhood in Manhattan. Mary graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent in 1956 with a BS in nursing. The same year, Mary began working as a nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City. As anyone who ever met her would say, nursing was a natural professional choice for Mary. Her compassion and grace were evident all of her life. It was at St. Vincent's that she met Donald Reid Inbody; a resident physician at the hospital. They were married on June 20, 1959, at the St. Francis DeSalles Catholic Church in Belle Harbour, Long Island, NY. The marriage lasted for 51 years and blessed them with three children; Christopher, Laura, and Brian. In 1970, they moved their young family to Don's hometown of Tulsa. Her husband and children were Mary's constant source of joy and she was their greatest supporter and advocate. Mary was a tireless wife and mother who spent countless hours at her children's schools, ball fields and gyms. She was a PTA president, homeroom mom, carpooler extraordinaire, counselor and mediator to friends and children. Mary worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital on different occasions and was later able to work in Don's office, much to his delight and even more so to the delight of his patients, many of whom she became very close to and were the beneficiaries of her comforting personality. Mary was also very active in her community; serving in the Junior League of Tulsa, Registered Nurse Community Volunteers, Tulsa County Medical Auxiliary Club, Antique Study Club, among many other organizations.

Mary and Don were active members of St. Mary's Catholic Church for over 40 years. Mary lived her life with a deep and devoted faith. All who knew Mary remember her as a kind, caring, and gentle person. She had a soft and nurturing nature that was always a source of strength and comfort to her family and many friends. Mary never uttered an unkind word to anyone and was uniformly sought out by her friends and family when they needed comfort or encouragement. Though small in stature and sweet in demeanor, Mary battled her illnesses with a toughness and resolve that will leave an impact on those who knew her.

Mary is survived by her husband Don, her son Chris Inbody and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, her daughter Laura Peterson of Salt Lake City, and her son Brian Inbody and wife Elizabeth of Tulsa. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren Elizabeth, Jennifer, Blake, Anne-Marie, Brice, Megan, Brooks, and Liza. She is also survived by her brother and sister; Walter Sullivan of Florida and Genevieve Marr of Connecticut. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Kathleen Duggan and Anne McAndrews.

Visitation 3-5, Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. Rosary will be held 7:00 pm Wednesday, September 15, 2010, in the Marian Chapel at the Church of St. Mary, and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, September 16, 2010, at the Church of St. Mary, 1347 E. 49th Pl., Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tulsa.

Words are inadequate to describe this precious and wonderful woman. Mary died in the presence of her husband and children. In the hours before she passed, she whispered "we had a beautiful life". Indeed.
Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500. www.fitzgeraldsouthwoodchapel.com