Mary Gallivan (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Mary Virginia Gallivan, age 103, died at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville, MO on May 13, 2023. She was born in Bolivar on December 14, 1919, to Frank Leslie Stewart and Katherine Elizabeth (Bessie) Grimmett. She was united in marriage to Ernest Deryll Gallivan in Baltimore, Maryland on February 12, 1942. They lived in Baltimore one year before Deryll was called into the military service. Mary then returned to Bolivar and lived there until age 86. At that time, she moved to Owensville to be near her daughter and son-in-law.
Mary began her teaching career in a one room school (Hayden) for three years. She also taught school in Collins, Stockton and for many years at Bolivar Elementary. She was a member of First Baptist Church, and a charter member of the CMH Auxiliary where she worked several years in the gift shop. She was also a member of Kappa Kappa Lota and Delta Kappa Gamma.
Mary loved sports and was actively involved in basketball, swimming, tennis and golf. She continued that passion for sports even when she was no longer able to participate by attending many games at Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University. After retiring, Mary began hand piecing quilts. She received many blue ribbons and twice won Best of Show at Gasconade County Fair. Mary always kept a positive attitude, and her wonderful sense of humor will be missed by family and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Deryll; two sons, Joe Deryll Gallivan and Michael Robert Gallivan; her parents; one brother, Frank Henry Stewart and wife Eldorene; sister-in-law, Moriece Gallivan Skarvan and husband Milton; stepmother, Amy Curl Stewart.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Sue White and husband Jim of Owensville; five grandchildren, Stacy Jones of Mohamet, IL, Laura Pacunas of Rantoul, IL, Meri Ann Gallivan of Chicago, IL, Matthew White and wife Jill of Lake St. Louis, MO and Sarah Junk and husband Aaron of Argyle, TX.; eight great-grandchildren; Quentin Jones, Myles Jones, Haley Pacunas, Brandon White, Anna White, Avery Junk, Deacon Junk and Amelia Junk. Four nieces and nephews, Jan Stewart Wilson, Jim Stewart, Jane Skarvan Otradovec and Jim Skarvan; many other family and friends.
Visitation will be at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, May 22, 2023, with funeral services following at 11:00 at First Baptist Church in Bolivar. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the CMH Auxiliary or a charity of your choice in care of Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, MO 65613.
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