Obituary of Mary Ellen Gorman
Mary Ellen (McEver) Gorman, long-time resident of Tucson and alumna of the University of Arizona, died at home in the presence of family on October 23, 2020 after courageously succumbing to terminal cancer at the age of 87. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, a dedicated military wife, and a committed community service volunteer. She impressed many with her organizational skills, her intellect, and her remarkable memory for dates, names, and details that she could call upon even in her final weeks. She served as a role model not only for her children but for all who knew her.
Born in San Diego on December 9, 1932, Mary Ellen grew up in Coronado, CA, a hometown she loved. She was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority at the U of A, graduating in 1955. Following her marriage that same year, she proceeded to follow her husband’s career as an Air Force pilot, raising their four children while residing in various locations throughout the country for 25 years. In 1980 she and her husband returned to Tucson, the city in which they had met, living here for the remainder of their lives.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William T. (Bill) Gorman; her two sisters; and by her parents, Melbourne (“Tex”) and Irma McEver. Survivors include her four children, Mary Colleen (Lawrence Howell), William J., Judy Prinkey (Ken), and Kathleen ("Katy") Zukis; five grandchildren; and three great-granddaughters. Her family was a great source of pride to her, and she often visited them and hosted them throughout the years.
Mary Ellen was a life-long volunteer. Organizations in Tucson where she served include: Pima County Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where she served 15 children over 11 years; Up With People (9 years as a host parent); Mobile Meals; St. Joseph’s Hospital; the county Recorder’s Office; and St. Pius X Catholic Church, where she served in many ministries, including several years helping the parish’s families of quadruplets and triplets. She and her husband were also active with Westerners International. She had promised her family that she would quit her volunteer work when she reached 80, but she did not, believing that as long as she was able she should give back to her community. In the earlier years of her life, she served as a Girl Scout leader; Cub Scout den mother; Head Start program helper; officer/coordinator for various Officers’ Wives Clubs; hospital Red Cross volunteer; and nursing home volunteer. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and League of Women Voters. Always civic minded, she made it a point to cast her ballot by mail in the 2020 election only days before her death.
Despite her many hours of service, she also held various paid jobs, including serving for nine years as a field director for the (then-named)Sahuaro Girl Scout council starting in 1981. Previous paid positions included: audio technician; medical receptionist; realty sales associate; and department store sales associate. Organization was important to her. With all of her commitments, she recalled that she had set a criterion for herself to maintain a balance of priorities: if she had more than three “crisis” days in a year (and a crisis would include not being able to prepare a good dinner for her husband and children!), then she would give up one of her activities.
Along with many fond memories of her years as a fighter pilot’s wife, she survived several very trying periods, including her husband’s sudden (at at the time, secret) deployment to the Republic of Korea following the North Koreans’ capture of the U.S.S. Pueblo in 1968, and then his deployment to Vietnam shortly thereafter. Those years helped strengthen her already resolute character.
Both physically and mentally fit, Mary Ellen remained astonishingly active in her later years. In addition to her community service, she enjoyed square dancing, playing Bridge, Samba, Mexican Train, and golfing (she only got serious about the game after she turned 70, carrying her own clubs; she continued to play until the start of the pandemic), aerobics and other classes at the Udall Park Senior Center. She was also an avid reader and loved traveling. Through her activities, she developed many wonderful friendships.
Though small in stature, Mary Ellen was a strong woman and an inspiration to others with her optimistic outlook and her ability to look for the good in people and events, even as she faced death. Because of the pandemic, the funeral on Friday, November 6th at St. Pius X Church will be private, followed by a graveside service at Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Cemetery. When it is safe to do so, family and friends can look forward to gathering together for a Celebration of Life in 2021. In lieu of flowers, Mary Ellen selected the following charities for donations in her name: Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona; Habitat for Humanity; and St. Elizabeth’s Health Center/El Rio Health.
