Mary Juanita McPherson

Mary J. McPherson, 79, of Tyler, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 surrounded by her family. Mary, a Navy wife and retired assembly worker, was born on January 21, 1937 in Woburn, Massachusetts to Raifta and Petro Elenchuk. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and grew up and attended school in Woburn. Following school she met and married Don "Chief Mac" McPherson in April of 1963. They lived in Maryland, Panama, Japan, Guam until retiring to Tyler. Mary was a certified Red Cross Lifeguard, she loved her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and pets.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don in 2015 after 50 years of marriage, as well as her sisters, Frances, Elizabeth and Sylvia. Mary is survived by her daughters, Frances Bulloc of Wood Heights, Missouri, Colleen Moncada of Terrell and son, Don McPherson, Jr. of Tyler. She is also survived by grandchildren, Joshua Bulloc, Zachary Bulloc, Nicholas Bulloc, Leighton Moncada, Alicia Moncada and Adriana Moncada; as well as many great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.

Visitation and celebration of life will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday, August 15, 2016 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 Highway 64 West, Tyler with Brother Duane Petty officiating. Interment will take place privately at Tyler Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Pets Fur People, 1823 County Road 386, Tyler, Texas 75708 or Nicholas' Pet Haven, c/o Spence and White Veterinary Hospital at 12903 Hwy 155 South, Tyler, Texas 75703-6546.