Mary Luck Stanley

The Rev. Mary Luck Stanley died peacefully on July 3 after 10 months dealing stage four kidney cancer. She was 60 years old.
Mary was an Episcopal priest for 27 years, working in various parishes in California before serving the last 18 years at Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Baltimore. She was the first woman to serve as a rector of Old St. Paul's, a role she shared with her husband, the Rev. Mark Stanley. Old St. Paul's is the oldest church in Baltimore having been founded in 1692. Mary was known as a caring pastor, skilled teacher, and vibrant preacher. She took on projects such as the renovation of the Saint Paul's Church rectory, which was built in 1796 and had fallen into despair. In addition, she was recently co-chair of the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Maryland.
She was a co-author of the book, Grace in the Rearview Mirror: Four Women Priests on Brokenness, Belonging, and the Beauty of God. In this book, these women clergy share stories from their lives where they found grace and strength through times both of blessings and struggles.
Mary died at home surrounded by her husband Mark and her two adult children, Jack and Hannah. She and her husband Mark were coming up on their 35th wedding anniversary on July 22. Born in Houston, Mary was a graduate of Texas A&M University. She received her seminary degree from The Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. In her free time, Mary enjoyed traveling, cultivating orchids, and playing with her dog Teddy.
A service will be held for her on Saturday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's. Church location and parking information can be found at the website https://stpaulsbaltimore.org/