Mary Sexton
November 15, 1956 - July 5, 2023
Seattle, Magnolia, Washington - Mary Louise Sexton waved goodbye to mortal life on July 5, 2023, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle WA to dance toward eternity with a huge smile on her face. She was born in Beaufort, SC on November 15, 1956, as a 1.5 lbs preemie. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and many other ailments, she pursued her dreams with uncompromising vigor, tireless enthusiasm, and childlike wonder. She graduated from Columbia College with top honors, later earning master's degrees at Emporia State University and Western State University.
She traveled the world and loved time with her friends. She was a champion snow skier and loved white water rafting, swimming, scuba diving, and water skiing. Friends fondly recall her pedaling her blue tricycle across the hills of Magnolia, WA, where she lived for the past 40 years. She and her canine companion, Mame, took the world by storm, receiving a national award for their achievements. Her last few years were spent writing her memoirs, giving evidence of her difficulties while providing insight into the tenacity and spunk that enabled her to turn lemons into lemonade. Mary is preceded in death by her father and mother, CD Sexton and Mary Irene Sexton of Columbia, SC. Surviving are her stepmother, Martha Sexton of Irving, CA, and four sisters who miss her beyond measure, Margaret Johnson of Graniteville, SC; Jennifer Sexton of Columbia, SC; Teresa Burns of Kill Devil Hill, NC; and Elizabeth Sexton of Spanish Fork, Utah, as well as three nephews and two nieces. The world lost much with Mary's departure, but her sweet spirit continues to flutter like a butterfly in a field of sunflowers. A memorial was held August 11, 2023, at 11 am at the Chapel in Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, SC. Donations can be made to Canine Companion for Independence and Columbia College in Columbia, SC.