Mary Rose Guokas was born on December 3, 1960 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and died on September 25th in Helena, Montana after a long and courageous struggle with cancer.
Mary grew up in St. Francis, Wisconsin and graduated from high school there after spending a year in Brisbane, Australia as an exchange student. She attended college at the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. Her work career began at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Washington, DC and continued with the National Park system at 2 of the 5 Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio, the San Juan and the Concepcion Missions. Later she was assigned to Craters of the Moon National Park in Idaho and then to the Six Rivers National Forest in the northwestern corner of California. While at Six Rivers she also served as a forest fire fighter and an EMT in addition to working on the Spotted Owl Preservation Program. Her favorite assignments were at Many Glacier and Goat Haunt in Glacier National Park. Later she worked for the State of Montana in various agencies ending her work career in Flood Plain Management. Mary was also able to travel to Malaysia to visit her college roommates. While in the east, she traveled to Nepal and hiked in the Himalayas, something she had always dreamed of doing.
Mary loved all of nature and being outdoors. Hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and swimming were favorite activities. She was also active in the Helena Masters Swimmers and St. Peter’s Cancer Support groups, St. Paul’s Methodist Church and the Sunrise Singers, and the Walk to Emmaus.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Mary and Vytautas “Bud” Guokas. She is survived by her sister, Theresa Guokas, and three brothers, Stanley (Monica), Gerald (Bonnie), and Charles (Linda). She will also be remembered fondly by four nieces, five nephews, five grand-nieces, friends, family and co-workers.
Mary was a warm, kind, and generous person and was befriended and loved by many. She had a thankful heart and spirit and particularly appreciated the loving care she received from her friends and the many nurses and staff in the Cancer Center and at St. Peter’s Hospital and in particular, the care of Dr. Thomas Weiner.
A Memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29th, 2015 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan St., Helena. A Pot Luck Dinner will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mary’s honor to Last Chance Audubon Society, P.O. Box 924, Helena, MT 59624 or God’s Love, Inc. 533 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mary.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 29, 2015
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Tuesday September 29, 2015
Fellowship Hall of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan
Helena, Montana 59601
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Polly Brown says
Mary was a very courageous woman and fought bravely. I did not know her really well, but she was a very giving person, and would go out of her way to help others. She often told me she would teach me swimming, but she became too weak at that point to swim. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Now she is swimming in the ocean of God’s mercy.
Jan & Tim Horan says
We had the pleasure of meeting Mary through the Helena Outdoor Club. We went on X country ski trips together and hiking trips together……always sharing our wonderful comments of the beauty of the out of doors , and of Montana!
Mary would also “light up” when talking of her visits with her siblings & their families. Those were very special times for her. We were always happy that she got to travel to see them.
Mary will always be remembered for her million dollar smile and her courage she exemplified during her battle with cancer, Thank you Mary for teaching us how to live & die with dignity.
Natalene says
Mary and I met at Craters of the Moon National Monument in 1987. We kept in touch over the years through Christmas cards and in recent years tried to get a visit in when she was back in Wisconsin visiting family. She always inspired me with her confidence and unpretentiousness. She had a quiet fearlessness that astounded me. Mary rarely complained, but made light of a situation and always had a smile on her face, even in difficult times. That smile and her strength and warmth will be what I carry with me.
Kathie says
The smile, spirit, and love of nature will always be remembered. As our family has told Mary many times, her name has and will continue to come up every time any in our family go hiking or backpacking, especially in Glacier National Park! Every time I see or hear about Many Glacier I will remember Mary… and reason she gave me to visit GNP and Waterton with Callan and then the next 10 years (and counting) with Neal and Tallis too! Prayers for Mary’s family and friends, and now finally peace and joy for Mary.
P.S. Google: international peace park memorial waterton picture handshake picture and look at the handshake picture celebrating the international peace park..Mary or not, our family tells stories every time we see it 🙂
Verna Kroll says
I met Mary at my Walk to Emmaus in 1998, I felt like our spirits connected and that we had known each other all along. Her sense of humor was great….the one time I remember most at our walk was when we had to stand and say our last name and spell it and she got up and said her last name Guokas, and spelled it M A R Y…..cause we all struggled with spelling her last name….We ran into each other over the years and each time it was like no time passed at all…she was always a joy to visit with and just made you feel good after you left her. Mary, you will be missed but not forgotten, and I will see you again someday my friend.
Traci Sears says
Mary and I worked together at DNRC since 2007. She was always quick with a smile and usually a joke. We often fell victim to her April Fools pranks, which were very well thought out. I often had to put sticky notes up on my computer to remind me that April 1st was approaching. She also enjoyed Halloween and took great pride in scaring my oldest son and his friends a few years ago. I will think of her especially on those days. She spoke fondly of her family and friends. Her visits back to Wisconsin were always filled with wonderful family stories. I know she enjoyed the farm and the nature adventures she was able to take there. I was glad she could spend some time with her mother and father. She was also very excited to share her stories about her lovely trips this past year. She will be missed, but will always remain close to us that knew her. She touched so many people.
Marijo Brady says
I met Mary when she was with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. She was always willing to learn and thoroughly enjoyed her responsibilities as the Outreach Coordinator. I will miss her smile.
Tiffany Lyden says
I met Mary in 2009, and remember her introducing herself at a public meeting, “My name is Mary ‘Guokas’, like guacamole, but I’m no Dip!”. Since that time we’ve shared a love for all things Wisconsin, including UW-Stevens Point, cheese, and the Green Bay Packers. In 2012 I started job-sharing with Mary. She taught me so much about outreach, often using unique perspectives and humor to engage people. She was great with adults and kids alike, sometimes challenging my kids to little races in the DNRC hallways, or removing her wig and letting them feel her head. I fondly remember playing balderdash with some of her friends on her birthday, getting tricked by her jokes on April Fool’s day, and getting to see photos and hear stories of her recent Arizona and Florida/Bahamas trips. She had an amazing network of great friends and family. Mary, your grace and sparkling smile and contagious giggle will be missed by all who knew you.
Carleen and Richard Layne says
Mary, thank you so much for giving us your precious puppy Reverend. He’s nearly 16 and he’s still going strong. He’s become such a wonderful addition to our family and has made a huge contribution to Gus’s life. I’m sure that someday you’ll catch up with each other at the Rainbow Bridge. Be at peace, Mary. XO Carleen and Richard
Celinda Adair says
I met Mary while working at MT DNRC I’ll never forget that after being there two months we had a birthday party for our oldest daughter and none of the kids we had invited came, but Mary turned up and made a huge effort playing with her and swinging on swings at Lockey Park in Helena. She showed great compassion and warmth that day and many others. We had some memorable road trips together and she introduced me to many wonderful books on tape. My fondest memory of my time working with her was when we did outreach work together for the local PEAK program for school children that my daughter was involved in. She new how to reach out to children and engage them with ease. Her sense of humour and April fools pranks never failed to deliver. She was a strong person with a good heart. My condolences to her family whom she spoke of often.
Daryl Gardner says
I also met Mary at Craters of the Moon in 1987. I lost track of her many years ago. Last night I goggled her and found the obituary. Mary had a wonderful since of adventure with the urge to try new things in new places. She had a heart of gold and great spirit. I will miss her.
Karin Ellis Hall says
I also worked with Mary at Craters of the Moon in 1987. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to keep in touch with her very well over the years, except she did come and stay overnight at my place before flying out of Spokane early the next morning. I remember her as being very kind and giving and am sad that she left this life far too early.
JENNIFER L LOCKIE says
Mary was my first supervisor for my first job working at the Gasquet Ranger District in California. She became a good friend. We lost track of each other after she transfered. She has always held a special place in my heart and always will. She did love her family and nature! She insprired me off in many ways, I hope I can touch others lives as she did mine.
JENNIFER LOCKIE says
Mary was my first supervisor for my first job working at the Gasquet Ranger District in California. She became a good friend. We lost track of each other after she transfered. She has always held a special place in my heart and always will. She did love her family and nature! She insprired me in many ways, I hope I can touch others lives as she did mine.