Mary Tinker

Mary Lou Tinker, 92, died November 8, 2026.

Mary Lou, known lovingly as Annie to her family, lived life to the fullest. She had an adventurous spirit, a joyful heart, and a gift for making the most of every moment. Her faith was at the center of her life, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to God, her beloved husband, her family, and her many friends. Mary Lou had a special way of making everyone she met feel welcomed, included, and important.

She grew up in College Hill and attended Blessed Sacrament, Mount Carmel, and Webster College. Blessed Sacrament always held a special place in her heart, and it was there that she married the love of her life, Bob. Together, they created a beautiful life filled with faith, family, friendship, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

Mary Lou believed in giving back and was deeply involved in her community. She was active in Delta Rho, Monican Circle and Junior League and especially loved taking the stage in the annual “Follies,” where she sang and danced to help raise money for charities. Her faith and love of music came together through her involvement with the St. Thomas Choir, and she generously gave her time and talents to organizing special events, including the Emerald Ball for St. Joseph. Whether she was performing, volunteering, or planning a beautiful celebration, Mary Lou brought enthusiasm, creativity, and joy to everything she did.

Mary Lou loved bringing people together and took entertaining to an art form. Her parties were legendary, with perhaps none more beloved than her annual Christmas Eve Open House before Midnight Mass. She was an incredible cook who loved sharing her talents with others, even catering for Larchers in her spare time. Her home was always ready for company, and she made sure there was a casserole or homemade pie tucked away in the freezer just in case someone stopped by. One of her most treasured traditions was her weekly “Bourbon and Beads” with her best friends, a special gathering filled with faith, friendship, laughter, and praying the rosary.

Above all else, family was everything to Mary Lou. She loved the outdoors, and her children have especially fond memories of spending entire summers in Woodland Park, Colorado, surrounded by cousins and family. She and Bob embraced life together, enjoying boating, water skiing, golf, and tennis, along with the simple pleasure of being together and surrounded by those they loved.

Mary Lou also had a special way of creating keepsakes that her family will treasure for generations. With love woven into every stitch, she needlepointed a Christmas stocking for each of her children and grandchildren and crocheted a baby blanket for every grandchild. These handmade treasures remain beautiful reminders of the time, care, and love she poured into her family.

Mary Lou also had a passion for travel and adventure. One of the great trips of her life was flying aboard the Concorde to Paris and returning to America aboard the Queen Mary. It was exactly the kind of grand adventure that suited her spirit.

That sense of adventure stayed with Mary Lou throughout her life. She loved driving and continued to enjoy her independence until just a few years ago, sometimes sneaking out for a trip to Braum’s. In one unforgettable adventure, she even had the opportunity to drive an Indy car at Kansas Speedway, an experience she treasured and one that perfectly captured her enthusiasm for life.

Mary Lou filled her years with faith, family, friendship, laughter, music, good food, wonderful celebrations, service to others, and more than a few adventures. She created a lifetime of beautiful memories for the people she loved. Her warmth, generosity, faith, sense of fun, and joyful spirit will live on in all those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Louis & JoJo Roberts; husband, Dr. Robert (Bob) Charles Tinker; grandchild, Sophie Mankins; siblings, Joanne (Harry) Whelan, Terry (Emmett) Malone, Bob (Pam) Roberts, and Sophie (Jim) Goethals

Mary is survived by her daughters, Joanne (Larry) Mankins, Katie (Kirk) Young, Sally (Tom) McGrath; sons, Rob (Julie) Tinker, Joe (Cat) Tinker, and Bogey (Melissa) Tinker; grandchildren, Evan (Annie) Tinker, Ryan (Kelli) Tinker, Robbie Tinker, Joey (Anna) Tinker, Stephen (Natasha) Mankins, Katie (Tyler) Current, Carey (Sean) Mortali, and Martin (Natalie) Mankins, Luke (Sara) Young, Bobby (Marie) Young, Delaney Young Donnelly, Maggie (Aaron) McGrath, Kristen Tally, Rob (Haley) Tinker, Annie (Nick) Nece, Lindsay (Cale) Armstrong, Tommy (Meg) McGrath, Jack (Kaylea) McGrath, Molly (Tyler) Johnston, Charlie Tinker, Garrison Tinker, Lola Tinker, Louie Tinker; and great grandchildren, Brennan Current, Millie Current, Sidney Alford, Kalysta Mankins, George Tinker, Leo Tinker, Emmy Young, Mary Tinker, Frankie Tinker, Christopher Young, Ray Tinker, Theo Mortali, Bodhi Tally, Teddy Young, Lochan Armstrong, Owen Mortali, Regina Tinker, Evie Young, Vinny McGrath, Mae McGrath, Louis Tinker, and Whitley Armstrong.

Rosary will be at 5:00 pm, Sunday November 15, 2026, and Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Monday, November 16, 2026, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Memorials have been established with: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N. Stratford. Wichita, KS 67206 and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 124 N. Roosevelt Wichita, KS 67208.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.