Memorial Mass for Margaret Jean Sulley will be will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Rayanna Narisetti, Associate Pastor officiating.

A separate memorial will be held on a later date. For additional information on these services please call (580) 357-7785.

Margaret Jean Sulley died on April 12, 2017 at the age of 89.   A longtime resident of Lawton, Margaret was born in 1927 in Cache, the daughter of Vernon Merry and Violet (Harmon) Merry. Her early years were spent in Indiahoma where her Father's family homesteaded. Many of the Harmon family still live in the Cache area. Medicine Park was her primary childhood home where she spent her free time roaming her beloved Wichita Mountains. Folks from that area may remember Margaret and her future husband, William (Bill) Sulley, from the local roller skating rink where they gave dancing exhibitions on skates. At the time Bill was stationed at Fort Sill, where the couple remained after his retirement in 1959. They raised 9 children: 7 girls and 2 boys.

Margaret's children, grandchildren and sons-in-law have described her as a wife, mother-thru-great great grandmother, widow, advisor, teacher, businesswoman, researcher, walking encyclopedia, storyteller, care giver, child care specialist, and a jack of all trades when it came to jobs around the house. She had a thirst for knowledge and was a voracious reader. She was a giving and selfless woman who was always ready to lend a hand wherever and whenever needed.  She was a warm, generous person who looked for the good in everyone. These cover only some of her roles and accomplishments. To date 89 men, women and children can trace their family tree back to include Margaret and Bill Sulley.

Margaret and Bill owned and operated the Broken Arrow Archery Shop in Lawton where they made custom bows and arrows in support of the many archers and bow hunters in Oklahoma. She took great pride in their hand crafted products.

Margaret's husband of 35 years, Bill, died of ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) leaving her with 6 unmarried children to raise. The years caring for him were spent doing independent research on the then little known disease.  She was particularly interested in beneficial nutritional support, promising medical research trials and providing education and emotional support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.

Margaret is survived by: Billie Jean Prescott and husband Jack, Catherine Gunnels, and friend Jim Gunnels,Therese Simon and husband Satoru of Lawton; Margaret Scehovic and husband Stephen, and Mary Ann Diggs and husband Charles (Charlie) of the Seattle, Washington area; Frances Haertel and husband Edward, William(Butch) F. Sulley Jr. and wife Petra, and Joseph Sulley of the Dallas, Texas area; and Lorrinda Nicolas and husband Charles of the Kansas City, Kansas area.

Grandchildren in the Lawton/Cache area include:  Paul Prescott and wife Cindy, Christopher Prescott and wife Michelle, Trish Little and husband Steve, Jamie Gunnels, Anneliese Pollard and Shelby Mallow and husband Seth. Grand children living in Texas; Jean Haertel, Fred Haertel  and wife Trish, Karl Haertel and wife Mary, Jennifer Knowles and husband Jonathan, Grace Sulley,  Joey Sulley.  Living in Kansas;  Daniel Nicolas and wife Megan, Living in Virginia: Matthew Simon. Living in Oklahoma; Ashley Birdsill and Husband Justin. Living in Washington;  Josh Diggs and wife Ashley, Jacob Diggs and wife Brandi, Richard Scehovic and wife Keri. Living in Oregon; Samatha McLaughlin and Husband Kelly, Living in California;  Elizabeth Nicolas

The remaining great and great-great grandchildren reside in many cities all over the country and are too numerous to list here.

Aunts, Luise Harmon, Betty (Harmon) Cunningham, and cousins Irene Runnels, Dawn Freeman, Vinton Baker and Katherine (Baker) Bone, in Lawton/Cache area.

Margaret will surely be missed by all her loved ones and the many people she met along her way.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church roofing fund, 12 SW 7th Street, Lawton OK 73501.