Mary B. Coro

Mary B Coro was named Mary Elizabeth Borys when she was born on August 24, 1930 in the upstairs front bedroom of 1005 Blandina Street in Utica, New York to Henry Borys and Mary Mickiewicz.

Mary was one of those exceptional people who walked this earth as a human but could very well be perceived as an angel of God. She loved with a full and vulnerable heart, joyfully sacrificing her own comfort in the service of others. She leaves a legacy of God’s unconditional love and a legion of people hoping to emulate her.

Mary, or Marie as she was generally known, graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica, New York, lettering in basketball, softball, and as cheerleading captain. She designed and sewed her own clothes for school and costumes for the Dramatics Club, performed as a rancherita in the Spanish Club, and was the “unofficial” assistant to the girls’ counselor. Mary was editor of the Press Staff, writer on the Literary Staff, cashier at the cafeteria, Senior Library Club Chairman, and was a member of the Radio Guild, Junior Red Cross Club, Senior Sisters, and National Honor Society. When not busy at school, she worked at a local jewelry store and played piano. In her last year of high school she traveled, performing as a magician’s assistant. Not surprisingly, her senior class voted Marie “Most Versatile.” 

Mary graduated from the State University of New York – Albany with a Bachelor of Science and a Teacher’s Certificate. She majored in Commerce with a minor in English. She was the Song Leader of the Student Association and the Senior Class, a campus queen attendant, Vice President of Beta Zeta Sorority, and Student Union Board Chairman. Selected as a member of the Myskania honor society, Mary was also Treasurer of the Music Council. She developed choreography for dances and plays, was a cheerleader, and played basketball (back when the game was “pure” as she would say).

She was married to John A. Marks for 38 years, raised 6 children and lived in many cities: Colonie, Bainbridge, Cobleskill, Canandaigua, Colorado Springs, El Paso, Albuquerque, Greensboro, Washington DC, and Odessa. 

She had the good fortune of finding love a second time and was married to Don T. Coro for 23 years. Together they operated Coro Bank & Lock Service. After retiring they spent years traveling all across America and Canada in their RV, regaling friends and family with stories of roads less traveled, sharing her infectious laugh and beautiful smile. She delighted in organizing many family reunions, hosting those she loved with her bright and youthful spirit.

She was a favorite Instructor at the International Business College in El Paso and worked as an Executive Secretary for many companies. She was the General Business and Health Education Teacher for Jesus and Mary High School, and was a Marriage Tribunal Advocate for both The Catholic Diocese of El Paso and for Las Cruces. She attended President Ronald Reagan’s Inauguration Dinner in 1984 while working with a lobby firm in Washington, DC.

Mary’s volunteer work was extensive, always striving to improve the lives of those in her community. She recorded readings for The Lighthouse of the Blind in El Paso – her program “Beat of the Times” was acquired for national syndication. She volunteered at The Queen of Peace Parish, was a Council Member of St. Matthews Parish, organized a local high school AIDS Education Video Competition, and received the “City of El Paso Appreciation Award” for directing The International Swim Meet in 1981. She was President of The El Paso Aqua Posse Swim Team and won many awards as a record holder for Masters Swimming in El Paso. Mary was a PTA officer, YMCA volunteer, Bowling League Champion, Citizens Advisory Committee member to the Cobleskill School District, and Women’s Auxiliary Chairman to the Schoharie County Hospital. She established a summer swim program for families and helped to organize blood drives. She chaired programs on community impacts from alcoholism, support for teenagers, and drug abuse. As a seamstress, Mary made heirloom wedding and baptismal gowns for friends and family that are still cherished to this day.

Mary was such a joy to spend time with. She was filled with wisdom and great stories. She was the sharpest card player in the room, even at the age of 93 she would stay up all night playing games or binge-watching TV with her granddaughters. For her 90th birthday she zip-lined over Fremont Street in Las Vegas. Two years later, she was riding roller coasters at Disney World. She traveled the world making lifelong friends everywhere she went and living life to the fullest. Mary was a loving, generous, vibrant, young-at-heart, road-tripping, motorcycle riding, singer, choreographer, cheerleader, dancer, seamstress, fully-alive tour-de-force.

She is survived by her sister, Virginia Chasey of Rancho Sante Fe, California. Mary leaves behind 6 grateful children and their spouses: Jon & Waneen Marks of Vaughn, Washington; Gale & Brandon Spear of Overland Park, Kansas; Wayne Marks of Pflugerville, Texas; Mary T Buck Mathes of Midland, Texas; Barry & Nancy Marks of Odessa, Texas; and Susan & Todd Rognes of Clear Lake, Iowa.

Grandma/Nana was tremendously proud of her 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren: Nicole & Dana Patterson and their children Xander & Sophia; Lyndsay Wright & Brian David and their children Lucien, Coralie, & Lachlan; Lesley & Tim Berry and their children Oliver, Margaux, Ambrose, & Indigo; Lacey & Chris Meyer and their children Wren, Bridger, Bodhi, Story, & Boone; Jessica Marks and her child Stella; Camile Parker and her children Jackson & Eliana; Ariana & Winston Ward; Graham Marks; Cassandra Buck and her children Cassandra & Paul Wiggins; MacKenzie Buck and her children Zsa Zsa & Cleo Walton and Jonhadette Stanford; Whitney Mathes-Lanier; Eliza Marks and her fiancé Ryan Sheridan; Kayla & Joshua Tuala and their child Ace: Chandler Rognes and her fiancé Nick Post; Reed Rognes and his fiancée Paige Shirk.

Mary Coro was preceded in death by her husbands Don Coro and John Marks, her brothers Henry Borys & Ronnie Borys, and her parents Henry & Mary Borys.

Mary B Coro entered God’s Kingdom on June 6, 2024.

A memorial service will be held at 9:15 AM on August 8 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home-Northeast located at 4631 Hondo Pass in El Paso, followed by a ceremony at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 10:30 AM, followed by a lunch celebration for all who are able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Mary Coro through contributions to the El Paso Flag Site, which honors the American flag and those who serve our country. Donations can be made through this web site: https://www.oldglorymemorial.org/?token=7J193267XR0804115&PayerID=KB62TPV2SN9GG