Mary Lee Gill

Mary Lee (Whitley) Gill from Choctaw, Oklahoma, entered into her eternal home on Friday, May 8, at 76 years of age. Mary Lee was born in Oklahoma City on July 9, 1949, to her parents, James and Nathylee Whitley. She spent some of her early childhood in Tioga, North Dakota, due to her father’s work, but she grew up for the majority of her early days in Seminole, Oklahoma. She was a graduate of Seminole High School.Mary Lee went on to graduate in 1970 from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in Journalism. Soon thereafter, she met the love of her life, Dane Gill, on a blind date. The couple was married on January 9, 1971. During this same period, Mary Lee embarked on her life's calling to teach. Her career began as an assistant in the Modern Languages Department at the University of Oklahoma. Following, she taught at Christ the King Catholic School in Oklahoma City.In 1977, Mary Lee was called to her second home, that home being Mount St. Mary Catholic High School (The Mount) in Oklahoma City. For nearly two decades, her passion for literature, along with her impact on the lives of Mount students, not only influenced them in what they would do in their careers, but more importantly, it helped guide them in who they would become in life. Current Mount St Mary Head of School and former student, Dr. Laura Cain, shared, "Mrs. Gill devoted her life to the ministry of Catholic education and left an indelible mark on generations of students at Mount St. Mary. I was privileged to have her as an English teacher, and she taught us far more than literature and writing. She taught us how to think deeply, speak kindly, and live with integrity and compassion."We are profoundly grateful for her years of faithful service to our school community and pray that Christ, whom she served so faithfully through her vocation as an educator, now welcomes her into eternal peace.” Former student and Mount graduate, Al Mertens added, “It is hard to overstate how absolutely impactful Mary Lee Gill was to me and my fellow students. Not just in teaching us literature, she taught through her example as a person.” Mary Lee concluded her teaching career at The Mount in 1996.Mary Lee loved traveling, Shakespeare, and the performing and fine arts. In addition, she bred Cocker Spaniels, even caring for up to 11 of them at one time! Mary Lee adored life, family, and her beloved Mount. Former Mount Principal, student, and teaching colleague, Talita DeNegri shared,"I will always be grateful for the influence, friendship, and love Mrs. Gill generously shared with me, with everyone. I always admired her quick wit and clever comebacks! She loved the Sooners, but she loved the Rockets and her Mount family even more. Our dear friend and mentor will be dearly missed but will always be affectionately remembered for the joy she brought to us all. She will forever live in our hearts.” Mount alum, Bob Kalsu, summoned the sentiment of hundreds of her former students. He said, “Mrs. Gill (she will always be Mrs. Gill to me) taught us the importance of living by faith and leading with kindness, compassion, and selflessness. Her passion for teaching was only dwarfed by her care and concern for her students even many years after graduation.”Mary Lee is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Dane Gill of Choctaw, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Ann Tyo (Bill) of Edmond, Oklahoma; and sisters-in-law, Kay Wilson of Edmond and Fran Brumit of Waco, Texas. In addition, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, whom she affectionately loved. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Whitley and Nathylee Whitley, and brothers-in-law, Terry and Gary Gill.