The Life of MARY PUGH MCGAUHEY
Mary P. McGauhey, 96, died peacefully March 24, 2018, at Calvin Community, where she had resided since 2011. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Interment of the cremated remains will be at Highland Memory Gardens following the service.
Mary was born July 26, 1921, on a farm near Exline, Iowa, to Sanford C. and Josephene (Maring) Pugh. She attended country school through 8th grade, and after the family moved to Des Moines, Mary attended North High School, graduating in 1938. After graduation, she worked as a secretary and retired from a food brokerage in Des Moines after working there for 35 years as secretary and office manager.
Mary met Lowell (Mac) McGauhey during WWII, and they were married in October 1943, in California where he was stationed. Mac died in 1992. After Mac’s death, Mary volunteered at Mercy Franklin Hospital and Ramsey Village and tutored at the Drake University Adult Literacy Center. Later she worked part time at the Wells Fargo events center as an elevator host. Mary and Mac were members of College Ave. Christian Church.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by brothers Guy, Lan, Val and Hal Pugh. She is survived by her sister, Beverly (Donald) Grooms, in Ohio, and many nieces and nephews, including greats, great-greats, and great-great-greats!
Mary loved to sing, dance, and tell funny stories. She also loved politics and called herself a “Red Hot Democrat.” She loved her garden, church, relatives and neighbors, and in return, was much beloved by nieces, nephews, and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to UnityPoint Hospice.
Mary was born July 26, 1921, on a farm near Exline, Iowa, to Sanford C. and Josephene (Maring) Pugh. She attended country school through 8th grade, and after the family moved to Des Moines, Mary attended North High School, graduating in 1938. After graduation, she worked as a secretary and retired from a food brokerage in Des Moines after working there for 35 years as secretary and office manager.
Mary met Lowell (Mac) McGauhey during WWII, and they were married in October 1943, in California where he was stationed. Mac died in 1992. After Mac’s death, Mary volunteered at Mercy Franklin Hospital and Ramsey Village and tutored at the Drake University Adult Literacy Center. Later she worked part time at the Wells Fargo events center as an elevator host. Mary and Mac were members of College Ave. Christian Church.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by brothers Guy, Lan, Val and Hal Pugh. She is survived by her sister, Beverly (Donald) Grooms, in Ohio, and many nieces and nephews, including greats, great-greats, and great-great-greats!
Mary loved to sing, dance, and tell funny stories. She also loved politics and called herself a “Red Hot Democrat.” She loved her garden, church, relatives and neighbors, and in return, was much beloved by nieces, nephews, and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to UnityPoint Hospice.