MARY GOKEY

Mary Gokey, 75, died April 9, 2013, losing her last battle with cancer under hospice care at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.

She was born March 24, 1938, in Madison to the late Charles and Ruth (Pierce) LaDuke. She attended UW–Madison and became a caring physical therapist. Her children and a variety of animals were raised on a hobby farm in Whitewater. She volunteered with the Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills, (SMILES) non-profit organization which uses an equine assisted program as therapy for special needs individuals.

In her later years she became a ‘Winter Texan’ escaping to a warmer climate. Mary loved life and enjoyed simple pleasures like crossword puzzles, playing cards, kite flying, square dancing, and just socializing. She was loved by many in the resort park community. She loved trips to South Padre Island to eat shrimp at Dirty Al’s restaurant and visit Sea Turtle Inc., a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured sea turtles.

Survivors include her children, Matt (Faith) and their children Cybil and Ben, Sarah Yao (James), Ben (Elise), and Aaron (Lillie); her sisters, Nancy Albert and Sally Burdick; and her companion and special friend, Robert Leonard Megee.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater on Saturday, May 11. Visitation is at 11 a.m., service at noon with lunch to follow. Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sea Turtle Inc., S.M.I.L.E.S, or American Cancer Society.