1948
Mary
2024
Mary Louise Challey
February 14, 1948 — June 3, 2024
Mary Louise Lowe (Pearson) Challey passed away peacefully at home with her husband by her side on June 3, 2024, following a long illness. Born on February 14, 1948, to Dolores and Lawrence Pearson, in Warroad, MN, Mary was the third of nine children.
Mary met her future husband, a fellow University of North Dakota student, at the Zip to Zap in the spring of 1969. During the festivities, Mary offered John a warm beer if he would guard an outhouse door for her and her roommate. Mary and her companions later offered a hitchhiking John a ride back to Grand Forks. This was much better than what was being offered by the National Guard tasked with emptying the town of Zap. Both knowing a good deal when they saw it, John and Mary married on February 14, 1970. Mary graduated from UND in 1970 and worked over 40 years for Dakota Hospital and Sanford Hospital.
Mary and John were loving parents, first to Charles John, and then to Elizabeth Mary. Her children and, later, her grandchildren, Dryya, Claire, and Julia, loved her playful sense of humor, gentle cuddles, and steadfast encouragement to be true to themselves.
An avid traveler, she cruised the oceans and seas of the world with John by her side. Together, they relished watching sunrises and sunsets, and discovering local brews and cuisine. From volcanoes to glaciers, ancient ruins to sleek skyscrapers, beaches to rainforests, and countless landmarks and monuments in between, they never let physical limitations stop her from seeing the world.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, John Challey, of Fargo, ND, her son, Charles of El Sobrante, CA, and Elizabeth (Patrick) Richard, Fenton, MO. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dryya and Claire Challey, and Julia Richard, siblings Jim (Peri), Peg (Fran), Karen, Pam, and Bob (Stanley), many nieces and nephews, and more. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Dolores, and siblings Dick, Bill, and Fred.
Mary made a life-saving stem-cell donation in 2008. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, mourners are encouraged to consider registering with the National Marrow Donation Program, and to be blood and organ donors, if possible.
A small, private family gathering will be held at a future date.
Mary met her future husband, a fellow University of North Dakota student, at the Zip to Zap in the spring of 1969. During the festivities, Mary offered John a warm beer if he would guard an outhouse door for her and her roommate. Mary and her companions later offered a hitchhiking John a ride back to Grand Forks. This was much better than what was being offered by the National Guard tasked with emptying the town of Zap. Both knowing a good deal when they saw it, John and Mary married on February 14, 1970. Mary graduated from UND in 1970 and worked over 40 years for Dakota Hospital and Sanford Hospital.
Mary and John were loving parents, first to Charles John, and then to Elizabeth Mary. Her children and, later, her grandchildren, Dryya, Claire, and Julia, loved her playful sense of humor, gentle cuddles, and steadfast encouragement to be true to themselves.
An avid traveler, she cruised the oceans and seas of the world with John by her side. Together, they relished watching sunrises and sunsets, and discovering local brews and cuisine. From volcanoes to glaciers, ancient ruins to sleek skyscrapers, beaches to rainforests, and countless landmarks and monuments in between, they never let physical limitations stop her from seeing the world.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, John Challey, of Fargo, ND, her son, Charles of El Sobrante, CA, and Elizabeth (Patrick) Richard, Fenton, MO. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dryya and Claire Challey, and Julia Richard, siblings Jim (Peri), Peg (Fran), Karen, Pam, and Bob (Stanley), many nieces and nephews, and more. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Dolores, and siblings Dick, Bill, and Fred.
Mary made a life-saving stem-cell donation in 2008. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, mourners are encouraged to consider registering with the National Marrow Donation Program, and to be blood and organ donors, if possible.
A small, private family gathering will be held at a future date.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Louise Challey, please visit our flower store.
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