Mary Helen McIlroy

Mary Helen McIlroy, nee Moore, of Sunnyvale, California breathed her last and entered into the Peace of Our Lord and Savior at 12:00 noon on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Mary was at home with her husband Bill McIlroy, nephew David Alan McIlroy, and caregiver Fane Timani when she passed into the Bosom of Our Father in Heaven. Mary was born in Cushing, Oklahoma, December 6, 1927. She was predeceased by her parents Lula Burke Moore, nee Baker, (b. February 12, 1877 in Texarkana, Texas, d. February 28, 1967) and Frank Lafitte Moore (b. January 7, 1882, d. December 26, 1968). She was also predeceased by her sister Elise Ruth Black, nee Moore, and a brother Billy Ray Moore. Mary is survived by a sister, Martha Lou McQueen, nee Moore of Pinole, California, an especially close cousin, Lula Mae Sawatzky, nee Brown of Cushing, Oklahoma, and other cousins of the Dumis family in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Shaffer Funeral Home with Reverend Ted Darling officiating with burial at Highland Cemetery in Ozark, under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Mary was wed to William Lee McIlroy of Ozark, Arkansas in Van Buren, Arkansas on July 1, 1948. They drove across the country on Route 66 parts of which were still graveled, fording creeks along the way, and made their first home in San Pablo, California. Mary was a housewife and mother while residing in San Pablo. Mary and Bill’s home was a family gathering place for their extended family and was filled with children, nieces and nephews. Mary was a gifted artist and designer. She designed clothing, patterns, and created clothing for her children and their cousins as well as adult clothing and wedding dresses. Later in life, she drew illustrations for her son, Matthew’s phonics, vocabulary and spelling lessons, which were used by children at Mulberry, Arkansas Public Schools as well as at Homestead High School in Cupertino, Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Ben Franklin Middle School in Daly City, August Boeger Middle School in San Jose, Prospect High School in Saratoga, Los Altos High School in Los Altos, Rancho Milpitas Middle School in Milpitas, Yerba Buena High School, Orchard Middle School, and Moreland Middle School in San Jose. Mary was a music and movie buff. She collected classical and big band music. Her library of videos and DVDs was vast. Her favorite movie was Gone With The Wind. Mary grew up during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. She survived breast cancer and a stroke. She was a determined and positive survivor. Mary was an outstanding cook, she created many recipes, and her Thanksgiving and Christmas meals were regularly attended by thirty to forty friends and relatives. Many Homestead High School athletes who played football or ran track for her son, Matthew enjoyed numerous meals at her table. The family will visit with friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Shaffer Funeral Home 2315 W. Commercial in Ozark. Mary was baptized in The First Baptist Church in Cushing, Oklahoma when she was ten years old. Her mother and sisters were members of that same church.

Mary Helen McIlroy

December 6, 1927 - April 6, 2014