Mary Jean Tate

Mary Jean Tate (nee Sullivan) was called from this life on July 15, 2016. She was a beloved wife, sister, aunt, and cousin. She was born in Eureka, Utah on December 6, 1924. She moved with her family to Salt Lake following the death of her father. Proud of her Irish ancestors, their struggles in Ireland made her aware of social justice issues from an early age. Her interest in peace led her to earn a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science with emphasis on international law & diplomacy and a minor in foreign languages at Stanford University. She earned her master of arts degree in Foreign Languages from the University of Utah. While she was teaching Spanish classes at university of Utah she met her husband, Donald Tate, who had accepted a teaching position after completing his doctoral degree. After teaching at Oberlin College, she and Don married and moved to Florida State University in Tallahassee, then Texas Tech in Lubbock. Mary Jean and Don lived in Ankara, Turkey for 18 months while Don coordinated a program between New York University and the University of Ankara. She enjoyed the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe and the Middle East. When Don accepted a professorship at Arizona State University in 1958, they moved to Tempe. Mary Jean taught at Camelback High School where she chaired the Foreign Languages program, teaching Spanish, Latin, French, Russian, and English.

Mary Jean had many interests. A gifted musician, she learned to play piano as a child and received a scholarship in high school to study the harp. She loved to travel, and received a Fulbright to University of Valladolid, Burgos, Spain. But she never lost her love of her native Utah. She was a lifelong Democrat and served as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman. She was dedicated to serving others. She served as Treasurer and Board Member of the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the United Nations Association, mentored the Guild Leaders for St Monica’s Guild in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sodality, and served as Chair of the Valiant Woman Selection Committee of Church Women United. She volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 15 years, using her Spanish skills with many families. She was involved with the Tempe Adult Day Care Center, and many other activities through Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She viewed these activities as her most rewarding experiences, stating she was blessed to have known so many inspiring people and becoming a more tolerant and compassionate person. She was married for 43 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Donald J. Tate, parents Daniel and Marguerite (née Doran) Sullivan, and brother Daniel Sullivan. She is survived by nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. rosary at 7, Thursday, July 21 at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 4310 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 22 at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church, 3201 S. Evergreen Rd., Tempe; reception to follow. Graveside services will be held at St. Francis Cemetery in Phoenix after the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations to charities.

Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, AZ.