Mary Iva Walker finished her race and entered the gates of Heaven on January 4, 2023 at her home in Elk City, Oklahoma. Mary was born to Charles and Freda Burnor on August 13, 1942 in Cambridge, Vermont. She was the 3rd of four children and told many stories of growing up on a dairy farm, harvesting the maple syrup, and loving the snow.

In 1959, she met a cute guy in the Air Force who happened to accompany her cousin on a weekend to Vermont. On February 12, 1961, she married Dale Walker, her husband of 62 years, her dance partner and best friend. From that union came 4 children and a move from the East Coast to Oklahoma.

At the start of their marriage, Mary took a position as a legal assistant in Danbury, CT. As babies came, they made the decision together for Mary to be a fulltime mom at home which she excelled at. Dinners around the table and an immaculate home were something we assumed every child had. The door was always open for anyone else to join us.

As her children became older and needed her less, she began to crave the fulfillment of a job outside the home. Her administrative skills and creativity made her a perfect fit to step into the administrative position at St. Matthew's Catholic Church where she had already spent years giving time as a volunteer. As her youngest child became older and she noticed the void of youth ministry, she filled that position as well, creating and amplifying a ministry that impacted a multitude of young people. She later filled the same administrative position at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang, Ok, totaling 30 years of work in the church.

Mary's ministry was not confined to those walls. She has left a legacy, but it is not one of buildings. Her time, resources, and talents were invested in people. She treasured her time with family. She had limitless love for her 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren with another on the way. Someday we will know the amount of prayer that shaped those lives. She was also known for having many "bonus children", those who called her mom or wished they could. It was her mission to make sure that all of our family stayed connected no matter what coast they were on.

She loved to tell stories. You needed to sit back and get comfortable because she was going to include every detail. But in return, you got her same undivided attention when you wanted to share something with her. She looked you in the eye, held your hand, and followed up with notes or messages to see how the story turned out.

Mary had 2 favorite places to be. The first was Vermont. She was especially excited to give sightseeing tours to anyone visiting for the first time. The second was her home when it was filled with family, friends and noise. She didn't't even have to be in the center of it. She was just as content to sit on the edge and watch everyone else connect and have fun. Her gift of hospitality made everyone feel welcome. We trust from God's promises that the place He had prepared for her far exceeds them both!

Mary is preceded in death by her father, Charles Burnor, her mother, Freda Burnor, brother, Jim Burnor, brother, Larry Burnor, and sister, Theresa Tessier.

Those cherishing her memory and taking her baton are her beloved husband, Dale Walker, children, Debra Hubbard (Kent), Susie Kyman (fiancé Todd Franke), Steve Walker, Jill Culver (Brandon). Grandchildren, Erin Rabel (Jonas), Nicole Taghehchian (Matt), Mark Fransen, Kristen Coffie (Marc), Jake Hubbard (Ann Marie), Kyla Parker (Wayne), Brooke Teeter (Riley), Macy Teeter (Ky), Caden Culver, Corey Culver, and Crew Culver. Great grandchildren who also call her "Mimi" are Eli, Addi, Olivia, Abram, Julip, Shep, Blake, Jayce, Riley, Brayden, Bryce, Jameson, Kort, and Rory.

A visitation and viewing to receive family and friends will be on Sunday, January 8 from 6pm – 9pm at St. Matthew's Catholic Church Parish Hall, Elk City, Oklahoma.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 9, 10:30am at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Elk City, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at St. Matthew's cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the Youth Ministry of St. Matthew's Catholic Church.

Services are under the direction of Chris Whinery and the staff of Affordable Cremation Service-West. Condolences can be made online at www.classicfunerals.com.