Mary Ann McMahon Gore, 86, of Centralia, Kansas, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City.

Mary was born on February 12, 1937, in Clarkton, Missouri, to Max and Maxine Pierce McMahon. Mary grew up in Clarkton and attended and graduated from Clarkton High School in 1954. After she graduated, she attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education in 1958.

She taught in Dexter, Missouri for a year before moving to Farmington, New Mexico. While in Farmington she met the love of her life. Mary married Charles Phillip Gore on December 28, 1960 in Clarkton, Missouri after a whirlwind romance. They were happily married for 59 years and had two children together.

She taught and coached in Farmington, New Mexico and in Durango, Colorado. In 1966 the couple moved to Lakewood, Colorado,  she stepped away from teaching and coaching to raise her children. In 1972, they moved to Limon, Colorado where she started teaching K-12 physical education. She coached girls basketball in 1975 and in 1976 was asked to be the 1^st coach of the new Limon High School volleyball program. In 1988, they moved to Antonito, Colorado where she worked for Adams State University as the NCAA Eligibility Coordinator and also coached volleyball at Alamosa High School.  In 1999, the couple moved to Pueblo West, Colorado before retiring in Centralia, Kansas in 2005 to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed living in a small town and she became a huge Centralia Panther’s Fan. So much so, shortly after they moved to Centralia, she was named the Panther Fan of the Year. Mary enjoyed a good read. She was a devoted grandmother and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s various activities.  Mary and Phil traveled throughout the United States touching 47 states.

She was a member of the Centralia Community Church.  Mary was an Election Board volunteer.  Her coaching career included 14 district titles, 4 state championships and an overall record of 274 – 63. She was named Region 6 Coach of the year, elected into the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and elected to Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 1992.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Phil on September 5, 2020; her son-in-law, John Schmitz; and her brother Dave McMahon.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Schmitz of Centralia; her son Jeffrey (Sonny) Gore of Centralia; a brother Don (Dana) McMahon of Springfield, Missouri; her grandchildren, Eric (Candice) Schmitz of Centralia, Holly (Brian) Wempe of Pawnee City, Nebraska, Emily (Nathan) Combs of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Jared Schmitz of Centralia, Hollis Gore, Jason Gore and Isaac Gore all of Centralia; great-grandchildren, Breanna (Bryson) Johnson, Jayce Schmitz, and Abby and Easton Wempe; and one great-great grandchild, little Johnny Johnson. She will also be missed by her niece and many nephews.

The family will visit with friends at 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Funeral Service will be at 10:30 A.M., August 18, 2023, at the Centralia Community Church west.

Burial will be in the Roots Cemetery, west of Kelly. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Phil and her son-in-law, John.

Memorials may be left to the Centralia Panther Booster Club and or Limon Education Fund, sent in care of the family.