Mary Sally Aylward

Mary Sally Aylward, 90, died Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Rosary will be at 5:00 pm, Friday, September 12, 2025; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 13, 2025, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in the Chapel.

Mary Sally was born on June 1, 1935 in Wichita, KS to Joseph A. and LaVina C. Aylward.

From an early age, Sally lived an active life—playing golf and tennis, swimming, and showing horses at the American Royal and other competitive events. Her passion for horses carried into adulthood, where she continued to compete in shows across Kentucky, Missouri, and many other venues nationwide.

Sally also had a deep love for travel. She embarked on an around-the-world cruise and visited numerous religious holy sites throughout the United States and Europe.

In the 1950s, Mary Sally dedicated herself to the “Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and to her Lord, Jesus Christ. As a BVM nun, she spent more than twenty years serving her community and living out her Catholic faith. That devotion never wavered and remained the guiding principle of her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, JoAnn Callahan, Mary Frances Comley, Betty Jean Hesse; and brother, Robert A. Aylward. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial has been established with: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N. Stratford, Wichita, KS 67206.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary – East Chapel.