Mary Agatha Burgell, a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins. She was 61.

A Loveland resident for the past seven years, Mary spent the final years of her life helping others, providing inhome care to Larimer County seniors. She will be remembered for her big heart, amazing cooking, and the warm, enveloping embrace she offered to friends and family alike.

Born March 31, 1962, Mary was the sixth of seven children, and one of three, closeknit sisters who grew up in Ponca City, OK. Each would eventually make their way to Colorado, with Mary coming last, moving to the Fort Collins- Loveland area in 2014 to be closer to family.

Growing up in Ponca City, Mary was extremely shy. When she wasn’t playing with dolls, she could be found riding bikes with her sister, Oneta Burgell, or swimming at Ambuc Pool. As Mary grew older, she enjoyed crafts, and had a love of music and dancing. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

A lifelong creative who once took first place in the Pioneer Area Food Fair for an edible centerpiece, Mary channeled that artistic energy into her work as a hairdresser while also passing on a love of crafting to her daughter, Rose Eslick Silvy. Mary came of age in the ‘80s, and she looked every bit the part. Family members can’t help but smile when we unearth photos of Mary donning sharp-shouldered dresses or sporting a single, hot-pink curl descending from an audacious platinum- blonde perm.

While bouncing between Kansas and Oklahoma, Mary raised two children: Cory Michael Burgell and Rose, and was a loving mother to each. Cory’s death following a car crash in 2002, was a tragedy for the entire family. He left behind his young daughter, Alyssa Kay Burgell, and former girlfriend Kim Bingham, both of Wichita. Mary was also preceded in death by brothers Timmy Burgell and Joel Burgell, both of Ponca City, as well as half-brother Michael Marigold, of Duluth, MN.

Cory’s absence weighed heavily on Mary, who poured her love into her first granddaughter, Alyssa, now grown, and welcomed with joy Alyssa’s son, her great-grandson, Armani Cory Burgell, of Wichita.

Along with Alyssa and Armani, Mary leaves behind daughter Rose; son-in-law Tyler Silvy; grandchildren Harper “Amethyst” Silvy and Nellie Cora Silvy, all of Santa Rosa, CA; sisters Oneta Bibbs, of Denver, CO, and Ruth Scott, of Loveland, CO; brothers Paul Burgell, of Rangely, CO, and Charles “Chick” Burgell, of Dewey, AZ; and half-brother Mark Marigold, of Superior, WI.

Mary, Oneta and Ruth were especially close, and the three were an energetic force – mostly for good – when they got together. And they always made time to check in on each other and offer needed support through various life milestones. In her final days, as she succumbed to illness, Mary was comforted by Rose, Ruth and Oneta, who sat with her, brushed her hair and offered the kind of love she so often showed the world.

Arrangements for a memorial service in Colorado are still being coordinated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s name to The Trevor Project or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Trevor Project. Hug your loved ones tightly.

Paid Obituary