Mary Gray Sweeney

Surrounded by her family, Mary Gray Sweeney passed away in her home on September 27, 2009. A long-time resident of El Paso, she was born in Palatka, Florida. She was the daughter of Edward Wurtz Gray and Gabriella Harrison Gray. She graduated from Florida State University in 1932 and was a proud member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She and her husband, John Marvin Sweeney, were married October 27, 1939 in Virginia. They lived all over the South and Southwest, including Florida, Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona, Puerto Rico, and spent several years living in Europe before settling in El Paso in 1969. Mary was wise and passionate about many things: gardening, opera, travel and politics. She was an avid reader of history, biographies and literature. She is survived by her children, John Gray Sweeney, Rosemary Czuk, Helen Anne Hackett and Elisabeth Noelle Sweeney; her six grandchildren, Adrian, Nathan, Mary-Elizabeth, Michael, James and Caroline; and her six great-grandchildren. Her gracious spirit and love of beauty will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Odyssey Hospice for their tender care and loving guidance. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases, it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. By John Keats