Obituary of Mary Guilford

Mary Guilford was born on February 11, 1917 in Lorain, Ohio to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Catherine and Stephan Pishko, who soon moved their family to a farm in upstate New York. Despite the hardships of farm life during the depression, Mary completed her training as a registered nurse, graduating from Utica Memorial Hospital in 1939. When WWII began, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, where she met and married Charles 'Chick' Guilford. After the war, Mary, Chick, and their daughter Virginia settled here in Chick's home town. In the 1950's, Mary was active in the American Rhododendron Society and developed a life-long interest in naturalistic garden design. In addition, she played a role in the establishment of the Tacoma Art Museum. In its early days, she coordinated volunteers to develop the museum's library, and served as chairman of the Women's Committee. She was also an avid bridge player and belonged to the American Contract Bridge League where she participated in numerous tournaments, and became a Life Master in 1990. Mary continued to lead an active social and intellectual life well into her nineties. A voracious reader with a keen interest in politics and women's issues, she was still hosting literary salons in her home up until a few months before she died at home on November 7th, 2010. At her wishes, no memorial or funeral service will be held. A private gathering of her friends will take place at a later date in the Gig Harbor home that she loved. Donations may be made in her memory to the Tacoma Art Museum or the Pierce County Library. Mary is survived by her sister, Estelle Quinn, of Rome, NY; her daughter, Virginia Guilford, of New York, NY; and her granddaughter, Christa Faust, of Los Angeles, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews.