by her family.
Mary was born in Lancaster, SC later moving to Laurinburg, NC with her family. After high
school, Mary attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she graduated
Magna cum Laude with a degree in nursing.
Mary started her career as a nurse in the ICU unit and then continued to serve her community
as a paramedic. Mary had a calling for the next generation of EMT specialists and began
instructing in healthcare at Guilford Technical Community College. As she built the foundation
for the now Emergency Medical Science program, she earned the nicknames ‘Mama Duck’ and
‘Queen Mary.’ Rightfully so, as she led with her heart, sharing her knowledge, she always
brought out the best in her students and coworkers. Mary’s own success brought tenured
promotions at GTCC to Department Chair, Division Chair of Health and Allied Services, and later
served as the Interim Vice President of Instruction before becoming the Special Assistant to the
Vice President of Instruction.
When Mary was not influencing the healthcare world, you could find her on a farm with horses
or open water on a boat with her family. She loved to play bridge with her caring friends or just
sit with her beloved dog, Chloe. Anytime you were around Mary, she was a beacon of love and
support which she took pride in spreading to her cherished grandchildren.
Mary is predeceased by her mother and father, Raymond and Laura Peurifoy, daughter Michelle,
her sister Becky, and brother Scotty. She is survived by her loving husband, Mike; children,
Jennifer (Kirt) and Chris (Allyson); grandchildren, Hunter, Anderson, Campbell, and Carter; and
sister, Karen.
A celebration of life will be held in Greensboro at West Market Street UMC on March 9th at 2pm
with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Mary West Gift of Hope Memorial
Scholarship Fund through the GTCC Foundation. Donations can be made via check mailed to the
GTCC Foundation, P.O. Box 309 Jamestown, NC 27282 with the Memo line of “Mary West Gift of
Hope Memorial Scholarship”, or by debit/credit card here:
hHps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R4JWE6WR6RDXN
