Mary Carroll Heath

September 9, 1932 – July 9, 2026

Mary passed July 9, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Whether you knew her as Mary,

MC, Grandma, or the General, you knew what an amazing woman she was. After over

nine decades of life, Mary had several pieces of advice to share: never feel badly for

yourself, walk every day, always have something on your calendar, and make younger

friends.

Mary was born on September 9, 1932, the oldest child to Charles and Florence

(McGovern) Carroll. A lifelong Spokanite and fixture of many Spokane institutions, Mary

attended St. Augustine’s grade school, Holy Names Academy, then graduated from the

University of Idaho with her degree in elementary education. She went on to teach 2nd

grade for several years.

When a witty, tall, handsome attorney boarded two doors down from Mary’s childhood

home on Sound Avenue, she knew she had found her lifelong partner. On August 3,

1957, she married John E. Heath Jr. Together they raised three children, Jack, Sarah,

and Bill.

Before Mary and John bought a home in Spokane, at Mary’s insistence, they bought

property at Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. Mary loved her summers at their lake cabin,

entertaining friends and family. She enjoyed hosting large groups, happily and magically

making a feast from her freezer when 10+ drop-ins showed up. MC was also known for

her amazing sourdough pancakes, and if you were lucky, she may have shared her

100-year-old starter with you!

Mary was an avid golfer and wouldn’t let much get in her way of playing Ladies Day at

Manito. So, it’s not surprising that just 8 weeks before her death, she squeezed in 9

holes of golf and even got a par! She loved to play Mah Jongg and bridge with good

friends. She was an enthusiastic fan of both EWU and Gonzaga men’s and women’s

basketball and annually traveled to the WCC tournament with her close friend Jean.

Mary didn’t want her obituary to be a laundry list of accomplishments, but true to her

own advice to always have something on her calendar, Mary wasn’t short on activities.

She was a member of many groups: Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, the Junior League,

the Spokane Club, Manito Golf and Country Club, Investment Club, and the Weekly

Reader Book Club. She was a very active volunteer in the community, having chaired

and served on numerous boards including Sacred Heart Hospital, Campfire, and

Spokane Symphony. Mary felt her biggest accomplishment was co-founding the

Greater Spokane Community Foundation, now known as Innovia.

Mary will be remembered on golf courses, where she outpaced people decades

younger than her. She’ll be remembered at Christmastime, when she was known for

gifting the perfect book for each grandchild (and honorary grandchildren). And she’ll be

remembered in the mornings at the lake, which were always better with a pancake

made by Grandma Mary.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her sister, Florence;

and her brother, Father Patrick C. Carroll, S.J.

Mary is survived by her children John E. Heath III (Jack) and his wife Lisa and children

John and Julia, Sarah M. Heath and her husband Dan Seare and son Ian, and William

P. Heath (Bill) and his wife Kim and their children Dylan and Noah Weller; as well as

several nieces and nephews including David Heath and his wife Carol Hunter and son

Miles of Spokane.

In Lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to the Father Pat Carroll Scholarship at

Gonzaga University, or the Innovia Foundation or the Rockwood Residents Foundation.

There will be a celebration of life at The Cracker Building at 304 West Pacific on

Thursday, August 6th at 4:00- 7:30 PM. Mary was known for her love of summer, so in

her honor, feel free to wear summer attire with lots of color.