Mary Evelyn Sullivan Chirpich

Mary Evelyn Sullivan Chirpich (82), known to the Sullivan clan as Sis, passed away Friday, August 16 with her family at her side. After a battle with cancer, she left in her sleep, peacefully, as she hoped. 

Mary Evelyn was born February 6, 1942, to Gertrude and Roger Sullivan of Shawnee, Kansas, as the fourth child in a family of eleven. Mary attended St. Joseph School. After some time as a novice with the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison (she didn’t like the coffee), Mary returned to Shawnee and attended Avila College to finish her degree in education. Mary was the treasurer of the Young Catholics Organization and met Larry Chirpich at a Young Catholics social event, one of the most beloved stories in the Chirpich family. After a date at the Kansas City “Bunny Club” (yes, Larry was pretty hip in his day), the two joined Holy Matrimony on June 27, 1970, and moved to Gladstone, Missouri. Mary continued to teach, as a substitute, while her four sons were growing. Boys being boys, Mary fixed bumps, cuts, and bruises, and sent the boys out to play some more. After all, as she would say, “there is too much ‘Ryan’ in them. She eventually returned to teaching at St. Andrew and St. Charles Schools where she flexed her creative muscles teaching children the wonders of science, her favorite experiments utilized food and homemade items. The “boys”, as she fondly referred to her four sons, were always a source of love and laughter in her life. They brought her “four daughters she never had”, and 13 grandchildren.

Mary loved the laughter and the chaos of the family gatherings. Mary grew the Chirpich traditions into events that the fear of missing out guarantees everyone attends! She coordinated St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve parties so well that a third and fourth generation ensure these will not stop! Game nights and Court Whist are full of jokes and teasing; every bit of it made her smile. There was always the challenge of a Krypto game, with the cards sitting on the kitchen table. Every visit to Grandma’s house concludes with Rummikub or Qwirkle. Her grandchildren hold her in such high esteem that they referred to her as “Saint Grandma”, even if it made the former nun in her uncomfortable. The grandkids truly feel she was a living saint. She gave advice, she prayed, she encouraged, she taught, and she led by example. Because of her influence, there may have been a miracle or two, at least according to those who love her. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and six of her siblings (Mog, Dan, Pat, Pudge, Mike, and Helly) as well as a granddaughter, Darby. She is leaving on Earth her husband, Larry, the love of her life and the man she credited for making her a better person with his patience, intelligence, and love. She leaves her siblings, Tim, Bill, James, and Rita. Her legacy includes her four sons, #1 Tim (Brigette), #2 Ray (Michelle), #3 Bill (Barb), and #4 “Golden Child” Michael (Amanda). Her grandchildren are Gaby, Lexie, Emmy, John, Brianna, Mary, Brooke, Summer, Jack, Chase, Delaney, and Lucy, all of whom will measure their choices by, “What would Grandma Mary do?”

Mary Evelyn Chirpich will be celebrated at a funeral Mass at St. Andrew The Apostle Church, Gladstone, Missouri at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 12, 2024. She will be inurned at Resurrection Cemetery. Larry has requested no flowers, rather, in true Mary fashion, he would like you, Mary’s friends, to donate to your favorite charity.