Mary Gavagan

Mary Gavagan, 81, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, in Weatherford, Texas, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. Born on January 31, 1944, in Houston, Texas, Mary lived a life marked by compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Mary grew up in the Montrose area of Houston with her mother, sister, and grandmother. She was an avid reader and writer, and while her children were young, she went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Houston. After she raised her children, she met and married Gary Gavagan, whom she adored. They moved to Guam where Gary continued his career as a pilot and Mary attended the University of Guam, where she pursued a master's degree in education. On Guam they adopted their dog Tori, the luckiest dog in the world, who moved with them to Hawaii, and then back to Carefree, AZ.

Throughout her life, Mary devoted herself to service and volunteerism. Whether working at the food bank or the library in Cave Creek, Arizona, or volunteering at the Armand Bayou Nature near Houston, Texas, she gave freely of her time and energy. She loved spending time with children and found great joy in tutoring young students and in substitute teaching.

Mary had a deep love for animals and nature. At her home in Carefree, Arizona, she delighted in feeding the local wildlife-even when it was not encouraged-and took special pleasure in watching birds flock to her backyard feeder. Many hours were spent in the kitchen window seat watching a variety of birds come and go.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her daughter Becky Powell and son-in-law John Powell; her son Frank Woodruff and his partner Tim Moore; stepsons Michael Gavagan and his wife Laura Gavagan, Andy Gavagan and his wife Kristi Gavagan. She was a proud grandmother to Malcolm Powell, Graham Powell, Kobe Gavagan, Darby Gavagan, Jonathan Gavagan, and Katie Gavagan.

She is also remembered by sisters-in-law Phyllis Nitta, Jan Gavagan, Tommie Maroney and their families; brother-in-law Rusty Gavagan and his wife Cinda; brother-in-law Jim Richardson and his wife Linda Richardson; her cousins Susan Wright Parrish and Rusty Wright; and her dear friend Sandi Gordon, and so many others.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary Gavagan; her sister Patricia Duncan; her cousin Chuck Wright; her parents Katherine and Otis Pray; and her brother-in-law Wayne Nitta.

A memorial service celebrating Mary's life will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church at 10am, and a reception afterwards at Harold's in Cave Creek.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to any of the following: the Desert Foothills Library, Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Foothills Food Bank, or Foothills Caring Corps.