Mary T. Sturgeon

Mary T. Sturgeon, 81, of Buffalo Grove, IL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 5, 2026. She was born on June 23, 1944 in St. Louis, MO, and was the first of seven children born to Frank and Rosemary Tomiser.

In 1966, Mary married Fred Sturgeon at St. Pius V Catholic Church in St. Louis. Six years later, in 1972, they moved to Buffalo Grove with their five children. By 1981, they were blessed with four more children, bringing their total to nine. All of her children attended St. Mary Catholic School and Mary was involved in parish activities including Confirmation preparation, Bible Study, Women’s Club, and outreach programs.

Mary devoted herself to supporting her children in their many interests, including sports, music lessons, and arts and crafts – a devotion she later extended lovingly to her grandchildren. As her family continued to grow, she became the cherished host of Sunday brunch, often welcoming 25 or more guests after Mass. Her grandchildren fondly remember summers spent in her backyard playing and blowing bubbles.

In addition to being a dedicated homemaker, Mary was the secretary of Fred’s business in her spare time. Mary later used her entrepreneurial and crafting skills and founded Estate Pillows in 2004. Through this business, she designed and sewed custom pillows and stuffed animals.

Mary’s home was always open to friends and family seeking guidance, wisdom, or comfort. With a humble spirit and a heart for humanity, she considered all people her brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of social standing. Her beauty, humor, and radiant light touched everyone she met. Friends often joked, “Mary, you are already a Saint after living with your husband for 60 years.” Fred, too, can take some credit for helping make her a Saint on earth.

Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Frank Tomiser Jr. and his wife Kathy; her brother-in-law Henry M. Grich III; and her parents Frank and Rosemary Tomiser.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Fred L. Sturgeon III; her children, Angela (Robert) Fiore, Mary Lynn (Karl) Kempf, Christina (Mike) Kolassa, Fred (Jennifer) Sturgeon IV, Alexandra (Brian) McCue, Laura (Kyle) Walker, Matthew Sturgeon, Emily Sturgeon, Teresa (Tim) Pinsonneault; siblings, James (Marcia) Tomiser, Jeanne (Greg) Monaco, Victor (Gert) Tomiser, Robert (Jennifer) Tomiser, Margaret Grich; her grandchildren Christian Fiore, Gabriella Fiore, Samantha (Kevin) Michie, Michelle (Luke) Johnson, Karl (Rebecca) Kempf Jr, Madison Kempf, Kelly Kempf, Joseph Kolassa, William Kolassa, Henry Kolassa, Sarah Kolassa, Andrew (Samantha) McCue, Jack McCue, Luke McCue, Bryan Rupprecht Jr, Bradley Rupprecht, Drew (Cora) Walker, Isaac Walker, Genevieve Walker, Grace Walker, Madeline Sturgeon, Lydia Sturgeon, Luis Alcivar, Tomas Alcivar; her great-grandchildren Liam Michie, Isabella Michie, Jo Lynn Johnson, Sadie Johnson; and countless friends.

The family will be receiving guests on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. An additional visitation will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. Mary Parish, 10 N Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, from 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral Mass, which will begin at St. Mary at 10:30 AM. Inurnment to immediately follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made out to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.