Mary died on August 24, 2023, in Austin, Texas, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Brownwood, Texas, on January 21, 1947, the daughter of John Paul Guthrie and Emma Frances McGhee Guthrie. Mary graduated from Georgetown High School and earned a BA from St. Edward’s University. She was a member of the Robert Gilbert Livingston Chapter, NSDAR, Georgetown, the Houston Country Club, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bertram. Mary was also a member of Leadership Texas and a Travis County Master Gardener.
Mary lived life with a joyful heart, and those who knew her will remember Mary for her authenticity, humility, kindness, simplicity, and her smile. She was the light in the room that you were drawn to. She made others feel as though they were the person she was waiting to see. She loved nature, being outdoors with family and friends, and spending summers at her home in Jackson Hole. Mary loved her family and looked forward to visiting with her cousins each summer at the annual McGhee Family Reunion. She was a fabulous cook, consummate hostess, and for her nephews, she was the “cool aunt.” Mary also enjoyed reading, gardening, fly fishing, mahjong, sewing, hiking, and walking in Zilker Park with her dog, Max.
Mary was predeceased by her parents and her brother, John Paul Guthrie, Jr. She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Harlan Suman Jr.; her daughter, Angela Marie Bettis and husband, Temistocles Hugo Rutili of Cedarpines Park, California, and son, Joseph Edward Bettis of Las Vegas, Nevada; her sister, Emma Gene Guthrie Griffis and husband, Thomas Boyd Griffis of Georgetown; nephews, Kevin Dale Didway and wife, Analisa of Houston, William Mark Didway and wife, Jaynelle of Bertram, James Boyd Griffis and wife, Julie of Midland; great nieces and nephews Matthew Didway, Taylor Didway, Elena Didway, Clay Didway, Claiborne Griffis, and Elizabeth Griffis; and her maternal aunt, Virginia Rita McGhee Lee Riesen of Titusville, Florida. Mary is also survived by her stepchildren, Andrew Wright Suman and wife, Darby McClean Suman of Houston; Lila Ryan Suman of Austin; and Nora Wright Suman of Jackson, Wyoming; grandchildren, Henry McClean Suman, Andrew Knox Suman, and Charles Wright Suman; and her brother-in-law John McLean “Tio” Suman and wife, Anne Arnold Suman of Houston.
The family would like to thank Dr. Brandon Smaglo, MD Anderson, Dr. Kyaw Aung, UT Dell Medical School, and the physicians, nurses, and other care team members of the Surgical ICU at Dell Seton Medical Center for the care and attention they gave Mary. The family also would like to thank Debbie Tindle for her compassionate care, concern, and the support she gave Mary and her family during this time.
A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to M.D. Anderson, Planned Parenthood, or the charity of your choice.