Mary DePasquale passed away on September 6, 2023, at 92. Mary passed away quietly at approximately 7:30 a.m., at home, with family by her side. Susan provided loving care and comfort to her mother, and James and David were also with Mary during her last days to comfort her.
Mary DePasquale was born on May 31, 1931, in Athens, Greece. She was the fourth of 5 children of Arshag and Azniv Gurunian.
Mary was 9 years old when Greece was pulled into World War II. It was October 28, 1940, when the Italian Army invaded Greece and German forces arrived on April 6, 1941, and occupied Greece until the war’s end in May 1945. Because of the war, schools were closed, so Mary could not complete her high school education.
On September 2, 1955, Mary married James DePasquale. James DePasquale was a visiting missionary from the US. After their marriage, they served as missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene. In Lebanon, Haiti, Greece, and Israel. They also served as missionaries for the Oriental Missionary Society in Greece.
Mary especially looked forward to her time in the US during their missionary furloughs. On one of the family’s furloughs from the mission field, Mary accomplished two things she wanted very much: to become a citizen of the United States of America and graduate from high school. Mary became a US citizen on June 22, 1962, and she returned to school and graduated high school on June 17, 1965, at age 34.
After their time on the mission field, James and Mary returned to the US and settled in Pasadena, California. They continued to serve the Lord in local churches in their community, as well as caring for seniors in the retirement facilities they ran for about 20 years.
James and Mary moved to Helena, Montana, in the late 1990s. She loved Helena and would not hesitate to tell anyone she could that Helena was the finest city she had lived in. In her later years, she frequented the Senior Center to eat, fellowship, and play the card game Hand and Foot with friends.
Mary is survived by her three children, Susan, David, and James, and grandchildren, Madyson, Adrian, Dominic, Donovan, Landon, Sydney, and Caprice. The family thanks the wonderful people at the Helena Nazarene Church for their love, care, and ministry to Mary over the years.
A memorial service celebrating her life will occur at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Helena Nazarene Church, 117 Valley Drive, Helena. A graveside service will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. For those wanting to send flowers, we ask instead that you donate the money to the Helena Nazarene Church on Mary DePasquale’s behalf.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:30 a.m.
Friday October 6, 2023
Helena Nazarene Church
117 Valley Drive
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Memorial Service
Friday October 6, 2023
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
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Marilyn G Lajoie, MD says
Mary, a discerning Christian and an encourager, was the first to affirm my calling to pastoral ministry. She was attending my Bible classes, and supported me in every walk to follow my walk with our Lord. A fervent prayer warrior, she was always inclusive and prayed for everyone’s needs. That was the Mary I knew and loved. Selfless and loving, deeply a part of her family until her last breath, her memory will be one of joy, independence, light and hope. My life was made better by Mary being an inspiring part of it, as she was to all who knew her. She is now, and will always be missed, though she is now fully with our Lord and Savior.