Mary (Gallagher) Parker

Mary Elizabeth (Gallagher) Parker born June 4, 1926 to Hugh and Anna (Audop) Gallagher in Spokane Washington, passed away April 20, 2022 surrounded by her loving husband and family. Mary enjoyed growing up in Spokane with her five siblings, attending St. Patrick’s Elementary and Holy Names Academy. Mary graduated from Holy Names College with a B.A. in Education and began her teaching career at Green Acres Elementary School in the Spokane Valley.  She met the love of her life, Jim Parker, playing tennis at Mission Park. They were married June 3rd, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hillyard (Spokane).

They built a life in Shelby, Montana where they raised 10 children. She so enjoyed the Shelby community and all the fun it had to offer.  She was an active Altar Society member and First Communion teacher at St. William’s Catholic Church for many years, a member of the Shelby Soroptimist, she started the Rip and Burn 4-H Club in the late ‘60s and served on the Montana 4-H Foundation Board for several years.

She enjoyed Bridge Club parties with her girlfriends, spending time in Glacier Park and at the family cabin, taking trips to Lethbridge, sharing her Catholic faith, and attending any events involving her grandchildren.  She was a wonderful homemaker and an excellent cook.  She was very proud of her Irish and French heritage.

Mary suffered a stroke in April 2005 but she didn’t let that get in the way of any opportunity to gather with family, take a trip to Canada, or go shopping at Nordstrom.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, Jim; her sons, Jim G. and Doug of Shelby; and daughters, Joan Svennungsen (Rock) of Spokane & Whitefish, Barbara Parker of Helena, Jeanne Maloney (Justin) of Spokane, Jane O’Hara (Dwight) of Deer Lodge, Debbie Parker of Spokane, Patty Parker (Andrew Cook) of Deer Lodge, and Karen Wandel (Eric) of Helena; 26 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Mom was preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Anne and Hal Hansen and their son, Michael Hansenof Deer Lodge; her parents, Hugh and Anna Gallagher; her siblings, Bernard, Gene, Peter, Anne, and Lucille; her in-laws relatives, Douglas and Gertrude Parker, Jack Parker, Edith Cusick, Genevieve Thompson, Kathleen Owens, Dorothy (Tine) Thole, George Parker, and Gregory (Tuzz) Parker.

A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at St. William’s Catholic Church Friday April 29th at 10 a.m., with a rosary Thursday evening at 7. For those who would like to join us remotely, Mom’s service will be livestreamed from Asper Funeral Home website (asperfh.com).  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sisters of the Holy Names, 5915 South Regal, #308, Spokane, Washington 99223 or charity of your choice.