Mary Alice Kathryn (Hayes) Garrow

formerly of Brillion - Mary Alice Kathryn (Hayes) Garrow was born October 13, 1924, in Waupaca, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Irish-American parents, Thomas Edward Hayes and Severian Frances (Quigley) Hayes, and sister of Margaret and Francis, all who predeceased her.

Always an advocate of education and life-long learning, Mary earned a teaching degree from the Oshkosh State Teacher's College and taught elementary level students in a one-room schoolhouse. As was the common arrangement for many teachers of that era, she lived as a border with a local family and was responsible for all aspects of running a school house, from keeping the woodstove burning during the school day to taking her rural students on their first train ride to Milwaukee for museum field trips, and for some, their first meal in a restaurant. In later years, she often served as a substitute teacher at her parish's school, St. Mary Elementary (now Holy Family) in Brillion, Wisconsin. All of her children and grandchildren attended college, many earning advanced degrees.

Mary was an active member of the Christian Mothers, and was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. She married Simon Alexander Garrow on February 26, 1949 in Royalton. As a young married couple, with a growing brood of their own, she and Simon started Garrow Poultry in Brillion, Wisconsin, to sell day-old chicks to farmers across the state and to raise and sell pullets and fresh eggs to the local market. Not one to shy away from new challenges, Mary joined her husband as a licensed real estate agent and appraiser for Garrow Realtors. Together they shepherded the development of numerous housing projects in Brillion including residential units and housing for seniors (Parkview Homes, Heritage Apartments, and Garrow Villa). She was the executive director of the Brillion Housing Authority from 1992 through 2004, a position held by her late husband, Simon, from 1969 to his death in 1992. She received national recognition for her model work as a public housing manager.

Mary held a special place in her heart for individuals with intellectual and physical challenges and she worked with others to start St. Mary's Christophers Program, which continues on today.

She welcomed many of her children's friends and foreign exchange students to her home. There was always room for another at her table, where she served dishes that became family favorites. She had artistic talents and enjoyed sewing, quilting, making gift cards, and crafts, and enjoyed and embraced computers for work and personal use.

She retired at age 80 and spent her retirement years near family in Washington State and, more recently, in Los Alamitos, California, where she passed away on February 7. The family extends deep appreciation to the loving and dedicated staff of both Pearl Garden Memory Care at Katella Senior Living Community and Companion Health.

Son Mark Garrow of Brillion, Wisconsin; son Thomas and daughter-in-law Elizabeth of Carlsbad, California; daughter Mary Kay Garrow and son-in-law Pablo Iannone of Killingworth, Connecticut; daughter Janet Garrow of Whidbey Island, Washington; daughter Patricia Garrow, and sons John and Joseph Garrow of Long Beach, California; daughter Joan Garrow and son-in-law Kevin Malone of Port Orchard, Washington; son Kevin and daughter-in-law Barbara Garrow, and son Daniel Garrow of Evergreen, Colorado; daughter Kathleen (Garrow) Ciccarillo and son-in-law Dennis Ciccarillo of Canton, Connecticut, survive her.

Her husband of 44 years, Simon Garrow and infant daughter Susan precede her in death.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to 13 grandchildren: Jennifer, Erin, Alejandra, Catalina, Kathryn, Caroline, Belinda, Simon, Ema, Andrew, Julia, Grace, Samuel, and one great granddaughter, Eva.

A memorial service and celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Mary A. Garrow Scholarship for Teaching Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc., 4455 West Lawrence Street, Appleton, Wisconsin, 54914 https://www.cffoxvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/GARR-Profile-2016-NEW.pdf

Online condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent from Apr. 1 to Apr. 5, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Garrow

Sponsored by Pielhop Funeral Home - Brillion.

11 Entries

Cynthia Koch

July 19, 2022

My sincerest condolences to the Garrow family. May God's Love and Comfort be with you always. Cynthia Koch

Judy Bodwin Barnette- Zeamer

July 15, 2022

I am so sorry about your Mom. She was a multi talented, intelligent, awesome lady. I was a classmate of Mark's and always thought highly of your Mom. She sold some real estate for me and did a fantastic job. She surely did grace this world with her family, talents and kindness. She can now join your Dad, a great guy, in heaven. My sympathy to you all.

Claire & Steve Letourneaux

July 15, 2022

Our sympathies to Mary’s family and friends. I was blessed to serve on the Brillion Housing Authority with Mary for several terms. She shared her many talents with all she came into contact. She and Si were valued residents of Brillion and did much to help Brillion become the best city to live in.
Eternal rest grant her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Florence Behnke

April 5, 2020

Mary & Si were amazing people. I spent my summers helping Mary with the children and the housework when their family was younger. I'll never forget when they had 2 sets of twins - all in diapers. (and they were all cloth diapers) The washing machine didn't get much rest in those days. They both taught me a lot about patience and respect and I hold all their family in my heart during their loss. I look forward to seeing all of you at the memorial service later on.

Bert Zipperer

February 17, 2020

My family moved to Brillion in mid-April, 1966 -- when we bought the little cheese factory "around the corner" and on "the other side" of Round Lake from the Garrow family farm.
On Monday, our first day of school in Brillion, the school bus picked us up and we (my sister Lynn and I) sat in the seat behind John and Joan Garrow -- who warmly greeted us and made us feel extremely welcome as we laughed and giggled our way to St. Mary's School. John and Joan were exhibiting the traits that their parents lived by. And the Garrow Family, including Kevin, Kate, Joe and Dan, quickly became our closest Friends.
I cannot say enough good things about Mary Garrow -- I always, always, always knew I was more than welcome in their home. Mary Garrow was loving, caring and delightful -- always interested in my life's activities and treated me as one of the family. She modeled love and acceptance and so much more .... and she was always happy to see us. She, along with Si, took us to various, after-hours school events. I remember being driven to annual Optimist Club speech contests -- where Mr. and Mrs. Garrow were always supportive, even though I was a truly terrible public speaker!
I am grateful for the support, caring and friendship of Mary Garrow. She helped a shy young person know he was valued and capable. And decades later, when my Mom passed on 7 years ago, Mary Garrow made sure to call me and offer her support and condolences.
I am a better person today because of Mary Garrow -- and I am deeply appreciative of that first school bus ride back in April, 1966 where we met John and Joan who started our 54 years of Friendship.

Roberth Garrow

February 16, 2020

I always remember visiting the farm and playing with the cousins,and chasing the chicken's around Aunt Mary would tell us to stop chasing the chicken's,or she would tell Dad and I would get a scolding if I didn't stop . She was a nice lady and will be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss,

Dana Irish

February 16, 2020

As the current Chairperson for the Brillion Housing Authority, I woulld like to commend Si and Mary for their forward thinking in establishing Parkview Apartments, Heritage Apartments and Garoow Villa, services not often offered in small towns like Brillion. Thank you!

Hal and Mary Dietrich

February 16, 2020

Mary and Si Garrow, along with their family were and are among
our most valued friends. They have left a precious memory on
us and the community of Brillion.

Claire Letourneaux

February 15, 2020

Our deepest condolences to Marys family. I was honored to serve with Mary for a few years on the Brillion Housing Authority committee. Mary was a joy to work with and very committed to her work, her passion.
May you feel the love from her friends in Brillion to comfort you during this time. Mary was an amazing woman. May she rest in eternal peace.
Blessings,
Claire and Steve Letourneaux
Former Residents of Brillion for 23 years

Sue & Tom Kees

February 15, 2020

Mary and Si were some of the first people we met when moving to Brillion. Remembering them fondly.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results