Mary Agnes (Cleary) Fulk

Mary Agnes Cleary Fulk was born on April 19th, 1941, the daughter of David Esmond and Mary (Sullivan) Cleary, at Ft. Polk, LA. As the eldest of eight children, Mary learned to look out for her siblings. Perhaps that is why she was always mindful of others’ needs. Her father was an officer in the US Army, so the family moved frequently. Mary learned to make friends quickly and adapt to any situation. The family lived in Austria for three years.

George and Mary met at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI in 1962. It was love at first sight, a love that endured 64 years. When George finished graduate school in Rhode Island, jobs were scarce but there were opportunities abroad, and Mary was eager to live again in a foreign country. They were blessed with two children, George David and Kathryn Maureen Fulk. First the family spent two years as Peace Corp Volunteers in Santiago, Chile, then five years in Karachi, Pakistan. In Chile, Mary started a school library; in Pakistan, she developed a program with the US Information Service offering English language instruction, a program that eventually included dozens of teachers and hundreds of students.

In 1982, the family moved to Tahlequah, and Mary earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Oklahoma. After two years at Flaming Rainbow University, Mary took a job with the Department of Corrections at Eddie Warrior, a women’s prison in Taft, OK. Initially, the library was just an empty room with a small budget. Gradually, Mary built a full library which the inmates gratefully used. Mary saw that many inmates were mothers totally separated from their children, sometimes for years. She started various programs to renew the bond between inmates and their children. Upon her retirement in 1999, Mary was proclaimed “Woman of the Year” by the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission.

After retirement, Mary volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Help-In-Crisis. She developed strong ties with the Spanish speaking community. She continued her life-long habit of being of service to others, always with a big smile and an open heart. For the last seven years of her life, Mary lived without legs; the amputations were due to diabetes. Despite her handicap, she remained positive, joyful, and concerned with the welfare of others.

Mary was a long-standing member of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Tahlequah, where she was loved and admired. The Lord called this good and faithful servant from this life on February 4th, 2026 at her home, surrounded by those who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her Parents, David and Mary Cleary, one brother, David Michael Cleary and one sister, Pamela Cleary.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of the home, George and their children, George David Fulk and wife Kristen of Atlanta, GA and Kathryn Fulk and companion Dan Gray of Rogers, AR. She leaves her brother and sisters, Delia Patricia Lapoint, Lynn Ann Kalubach, Daniel Cleary, Theresa Vick, and Hannah Carlson. Mary lives on through her three grandchildren, Jessica Van Kirk and husband George, Connor Fulk, and Kyle Fulk. There is a very special great grandchild, Amelia Van Kirk, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be conducted on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Brigid Catholic Church on 807 Crafton St. in Tahlequah, OK with Father David Medina officiating. There will be a Rosary Service and Time of Sharing on Friday, February 27th, 2026 beginning at 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider Habitat for Humanity in Tahlequah or Help-In-Crisis of Tahlequah.

Honorary Pallbearers for Mary include Kay Frank, Jeannie Van Veen, Ann West, Estephana Ladezma, Claudia Castillo, Delia Patricia Lapoint, Patsy Clifford, and Donna Lewis.