Maureen "Mo" Gary

Mo Gary (formally Maureen Joan McNamara) was born January 3, 1953 in Detroit but grew up in Toledo, Ohio as the oldest of ten siblings. They were raised in a physically small but emotionally large, loving home. Her feisty, adventurous spirit was evident from an early age. After graduating from high school Mo attended the Ohio State University and received a degree in dental hygiene. To celebrate this achievement, she spent a month backpacking across Europe. After that adventure she moved to California where she met and married Steve Gary. Graduate studies in geology for Steve led them to Montana where Mo worked as a dental hygienist. Many lifelong friendships were made during those years and Mo began her life-long passion for weaving and ceramics. While Steve and Mo's life directions diverged, their friendship continued over the decades.

Mo continued to perfect her basket weaving skills, widen her circle of friends, and became a potter, painter and creator of beautiful works of art. Her life changed dramatically when a handsome Texan came to her clinic to get his teeth cleaned. Don Bedunah became Mo's second husband and the love of her life. Mo's new family also included Don's sons Dylan and Andrew and Mo's niece Jody. Together they created a beautiful home on the banks of the Bitterroot River in Lolo, enriched by Mo's flower and vegetable gardens, fruit orchard, a native plant garden and a potter's studio attached to a greenhouse - an artist's dream that Don built for Mo. Mo knew all the botanical names of flowers in her garden, and chose them to bloom throughout the seasons. She arrived at parties or a meeting with friends with stunning bouquets and provided flowers for weddings and other affairs. Mo often accompanied Don, a rangeland ecologist, on his field research to places such as Afghanistan and China and to Egypt visiting friends. Their home was full of artifacts they collected from around the world, along with the woven baskets and clay pots, heart and bird strings, stenciled bowls and other gorgeous, imaginative handiworks that Mo created; anyone who set eyes on their home and surrounding landscape was spellbound by the array of colors, shapes, and ornaments that glittered and sparkled inside and out; these were the physical embodiments of the effervescent, wondrous and generous spirit that was Mo. She often shared her dreamscape for parties, political fundraisers (Mo was a lifelong ardent democrat!) and weddings. Tragically, Don died suddenly of a massive heart attack in 2012.

While heartbroken, Mo motored on developing other personal relationships, deepening existing ones and continuing to make and share her beautiful art. Mo added joy and love to any event she attended. She continued to travel with friends and family, visiting Greece, Guatemala, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Morocco, Italy, and places around the US among others. She drew great comfort and companionship from her many dogs that she loved desperately - Maya, Buddy and more recently Giz, a small dog with red fur to match Mo's own red hair. Mo was a steadfast member and supporter of numerous community organizations for the environment, democratic causes and of course art; she was particularly supportive of other female artists. During the final months of her life, she was cared for by a loving circle of friends and family.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Don Bedunah, Parents John and Joan McNamara and sister Kathleen McNamara. Surviving Mo are her stepsons Dylan (Stephanie) Bedunah, Andrew (Sheena Carrigan) Bedunah, grandchildren Cade, Brock and Addylan, siblings Mike (Kathy) McNamara, Coleen (Mark Hensien) McNamara, Nora (Rich) Dregne, John McNamara, Tim McNamara, Pat (Patti) McNamara, Denny (Heather Szynaka) McNamara, Peggy (Lance Motil) McNamara, and numerous nieces and nephews. To honor Mo, donations can be made to the Clay Studio of Missoula or Montana Public Radio. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.