Mary Gail Adams

Mary Gail “Aunt Mary” Adams, 91, of Kokomo, passed away March 16, 2016 at Northwoods Commons after an extended illness. Mary Gail was born May 29, 1924 to Lester and Olive Mary (Thomas) Adams in Milford Illinois, the 4th of nine children. Mary Gail graduated from Tyner Indiana High School in 1942; 2nd in her class. In 1944 to help in the war effort Mary Gail joined the Cadet Nurse Corp, based at Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka Indiana, after graduation she worked in Veterans hospitals in the Indianapolis area. She enrolled in the Degree Program to achieve her B.S. in Nursing from Ball State University. Until her retirement in 1955 she was employed in supervision at Veterans hospitals in Marion Indiana, Phoenix Arizona, and Roanoke Virginia.

In 1994 Mary Gail relocated to Kokomo to be near family. Mary did not have children of her own, however she took her role as “Aunt Mary” to many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews very seriously; helping whenever necessary to plan and finance their education or just lend a sympathetic ear.

Mary Gail is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Irma & Frank Rankert of Kokomo; two sisters-in-law Dora Adams of Fort Worth, Texas, Adanell Adams of South Bend; 18 nieces and nephews; and several great nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, four brothers, two nephews, and one niece.

During much of her life Mary Gail was an active member of the Baptist church until it became necessary for reasons of health to move into an assisted living. Mary Gail loved to read and share her love of books with others. While living in the south she became an avid quilter and enjoyed quilting clubs and crossword puzzles. Flowers were another passion, spending many hours in her gardens, always happy to share seeds and bulbs. She loved to travel and visited Europe and many parts of the United States. She enjoyed lasting friendships with people whom she had met over the years.

The family wishes to thank Northwoods Commons, Nightingale Hospice, and Comfort Keepers for the wonderful care they provided to Aunt Mary during her illness. Calling hours will be from 12:00 p.m.-1;00 p.m. Saturday April 23, 2016. A memorial service to celebrate Aunt Mary’s life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in Aunt Mary’s memory may be given to the Kokomo Humane Society though the funeral home. Online condolences may be given at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com