Mary Christine Rinehart

Mary was born on October 9, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Margie and Donald Sullivan. The youngest of nine children, she was deeply rooted in family from the very beginning. Her brothers and sisters, along with her many nieces and nephews, were central to her life. Mary’s love for her family was unwavering—she supported them wholeheartedly and cherished every connection. She shared an especially close bond with her parents, and there was rarely a day she didn’t speak with her mother or spend time together. They were truly best friends.

From a young age, Mary was both athletic and competitive. She was an exceptional basketball player, known for her ability to sink three-point shots with ease throughout her life. She graduated from Southport High School in 1987 and went on to attend Purdue University, where she earned a degree in Engineering Management and Leadership, graduating cum laude with a 3.98 GPA. Ever driven, she proudly achieved straight A’s—with the exception of one B+ that really ticked her off.

Mary built a successful career spanning more than three decades, including roles with Prudential Insurance, IUPUI, and Home Yeah, a real estate startup.

In 1989, Mary met Richard through her father, who invited him over for a home-cooked meal on October 15th. They quickly fell in love and were married less than a year later, on September 8, 1990, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Indianapolis. They spent the first 15 years of their marriage in Indianapolis, building a life together.

In 2005, Mary and Richard moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, following Richard’s career with The News & Observer. Mary quickly embraced her new home before long, “y’all” had become part of her everyday vocabulary.

Mary and Richard shared a love of travel, fitness, and the outdoors. Together, they explored the country and enjoyed running, hiking, camping, rock climbing, and many other activities. In her early forties, Mary discovered a passion for tennis, forming several teams and building a close-knit circle of friends whose relationships extended far beyond the court.

Mary began her courageous battle with cancer in 2016 and was later diagnosed with appendiceal cancer in 2021. Faced with difficult choices, she consistently chose the harder path, enduring multiple extensive surgeries. Through it all, she remained remarkably positive and resilient—rarely complaining, always focused on recovery, and determined to return to the life she loved between treatments.

Two Celebrations of Mary’s life will be held—one in Indianapolis and one in Raleigh—with dates to be announced in the coming months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mary’s name to the ACPMP (Appendiceal Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation), an organization dedicated to research and support for those affected by appendiceal cancer. Donations can be made at https://acpmp.org

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Rinehart family.