Mary was born January 30, 1949 in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany to Warren Ambrose Giles and Helen (Higgins) Giles. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Tom and son Brendan and daughter-in-law Natalie Hall, brother Pat (Jane) Giles and sisters Dorri (Ray) Raposa and Peggy Giles, and her precious grandchildren Barrett and Savannah. Also, nieces Molly (Matt) Phillips and Emily (Brian) Gallucci and nephews Rain (Sada) Barclift, Brook (Margarita) Barclift and Dylan Barclift.
Raised as an Army brat, Mary attended many schools around the country and in Europe before attending Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, Kansas. She graduated in 1966. She attended St. Mary’s University for one year and completed her undergraduate studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York in 1970.
She returned to Kansas City after graduation to continue her education and ultimately meet and marry her life partner, Tom Hall. Mary received a master’s degree from UMKC and began teaching behaviorally disturbed adolescents. She focused the second half of her career in computer programming, retiring from the City of Overland Park in 2010, after more than 25 years of service.
The greatest joy of her life was her family. Mary and Tom raised their son, Brendan next to Arno Park off Ward Parkway. Brendan married Natalie Bock in 2010 and they have two children, Barrett (6 years) and Savannah (4 years). Mary, their “Bompa”, was ever present in their lives. Her influence and impact will always be with them.
After retirement, Mary stepped up her volunteer activities, always wanting to give back and find a way to help. She volunteered for AARP preparing taxes for those who needed assistance. Mary and Tom both volunteered at Arts Tech in Kansas City. She was on hand to help with their IT issues, Santa’s Breakfast and any other activity or issue that she could help to organize or solve the unsolvable. Arts Tech provides support to underserved urban youth through the development of artistic, technical, health, and educational skills.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Arts Tech of Kansas City, 1522 Holmes Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108; (816) 461-0201; https://www.artstech-kc.org/donate
Cancer met Mary three different times in her life and she was determined to beat this one, her most challenging foe. After eighteen months of battling the disease and beating all odds, with every ounce of energy she had, the lung cancer (of a lifetime non-smoker) was too much to overcome. Mary passed on peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospice House with her husband, son and sister at her side.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
