Mary Lois Rulifson Frye was born on June 22, 1925 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Lyle Hickman Rulifson and Elsie May Whitson Rulifson. She passed away peacefully at her home on Boomer Lake on January 20, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. Early in Mary's life, her father started calling her 'Little Mary Sunshine,' which proved to be prophetic, as Mary brought sunshine to every person she met. Her family lived in Royal Oak, Michigan until she was in the sixth grade when the family moved back to Fergus Falls. On the first day of school, she met her lifelong best friend, Beth Beimer Marvin. Mary was involved in multiple activities while in school - theatre, cheerleading and more.

Mary attended Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she graduated with a double major in psychology and physical education. Following graduation, Mary moved to Portland, Oregon to help take care of her mother. She taught physical education in Roseburg, Oregon for two years, but decided she needed more sunshine in her life and accepted a job to teach psychology and physical education in Gallup, New Mexico. She traveled to Gallup by train and, as the train passed through Flagstaff, NM, she asked her fellow passengers if the terrain in Gallup was similar......She arrived in Gallup at night and when she woke the next morning and saw the high desert landscape and adobe homes, she said if she had the money, she would have taken the next train home. However, she stayed and taught in Gallup for two years, enjoying every minute and making more lifetime friends.

Mary next accepted an instructor position at the University of Nevada, Reno where she met a handsome Cherokee Army officer teaching ROTC named E. Moses Frye. She and Moses were married on August 15, 1952 in Portland, Oregon. Mary and Moses returned to Reno for a few months and then moved to Oklahoma so Moses could attend law school. The family lived in a cozy house on Prospect Avenue in Oklahoma City. Their three daughters were born in OKC - Beth Lynette in 1954, Camille Annette in 1956 and Renee Jeanette in 1962. (Mary was determined her children would have more 'exciting' names than she did....)

E. Moses accepted the job of legal counsel for Oklahoma State University in early 1962. The family moved to Stillwater in April, 1962, where they lived for several months in a one bedroom cabin at Lake Carl Blackwell. Mary spoke fondly of those times, but it's hard for others to imagine living in such small quarters with three children (one a newborn!), a dog and a cat. It was fitting for Mary to live life on a lake. She was a fish (or otter...) at heart!

Mary was a devoted mother to her daughters and supported each one unconditionally as they pursued their different interests - sewing, swim team, gymnastics, scuba diving and more. Mary was part of the team that brought the Juliette Low Society to Stillwater in support of local Girl Scouts. She and Moses created the Stillwater Girls, Inc., which saved Camp Sylvia Stapley from being taken over (and perhaps sold) when the Magic Empire Girl Scout Council consolidated.

When Renee started school, Mary had the opportunity to join the staff at the Colvin Recreation Center at OSU, where she worked until she retired in 1988. While working, Mary earned her MS in psychology and her doctorate in education. Education was very, very important to both Moses and Mary, a value they instilled in their children and grandchildren, who have all earned various college degrees since.

Mary was a well-respected member of the Oklahoma State University faculty. She was a member of the task force responsible for re-designing the Academic Appeals process and subsequently chaired the Academic Appeals Board for several years. She was one of OSU's representatives at the National Council on Activation of Title IX for Women's Athletics. Her granddaughter, Michela, reaped that reward when she played goalie for the OSU Women's Soccer team where Mary could be found cheering the Cowgirls.

As Mary neared retirement, she became interested in 'what comes next.' She served on an ad-hoc committee studying retirement options that ultimately resulted in the Legacy Village facility being built. She was instrumental in bringing the Osher Lifelong Living Institute to Stillwater. Mary was also involved in creating the OSU Emeriti Association, a robust organization that prospers to this day.

Mary received several honors and awards, including being named to the OSU College of Education Hall of Fame, the Thanks Badge I and Thanks Badge II from the Magic Empire Council of Girl Scouts and the Pillar Award from the Stillwater Museum Association.

Mary held many leadership positions over her lifetime. She was a Board Member for the Magic Empire Council of Girl Scouts, a member of the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Hamline University, and held virtually every office in First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, that was possible - Elder, Trustee, Deacon, Nominating Committee, Stephens Minister and Chair of the Pastor Search Committee. However, if you were to ask her what she was most proud of in her church work, she would tell you - "being a member of the Cuban Mission Trip in 1994. We went to Cuba with suitcases full of clothing, personal hygiene items, Bibles, etc. We came home with only the clothes on our back."

Mary loved to travel and she loved meeting new people. She and Moses traveled to Soviet Union, China, British Virgin Islands and more. She took many trips with beloved friends - skiing, National Parks, Australia, Greece and more. She was proud of visiting all 50 states and traveling across Canada on the back of a Honda GoldWing motorcycle. She enjoyed multiple beach vacations with Renee's family, time in Red River, NM with Camille and her girls, and many ski trips and visits to South Texas with Lynette's family.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, E. Moses Frye, her parents, Lyle and Elsie Rulifson, and her brothers, Robert (Bob) Rulifson and Donald (Bud) Rulifson. She is survived by the three Frye girls - Lynette Frye Chapman of Katy TX, Camille Frye DeYong of Stillwater, OK and Renee Frye Ongaro (Paolo) of Trophy Club, TX, her grandchildren - Brandi Chapman Traylor (Doug) of Katy, TX, Cody Chapman (Tonja) of New Braunfels, TX, Shannon DeYong (Brian Harrison) and Sarah DeYong of Stillwater, Michela Ongaro (Abbie) of North Richland Hills, TX and Matteo Ongaro of Jackson, WY. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren - Carson, Cade, Camden and Cannon Traylor, Kinzley Chapman and Callen Chapman, as well as three bonus great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Harrison, Breeana and Braelynn Champagne.

The family would like to thank Kathy Rosa-Coe, Karman Legacy Hospice and Dr. Kelsey Smith for their loving care of Mary. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26 at First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater. Please wear bright colors in honor of Mary Lois. In lieu of flowers, Mary asked that memorial contributions be made to either Stillwater Girls, Inc., 315 West 12th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74074 or to the Drs. E. Moses and Mary Frye Scholarship Fund (25-61800) through the OSU Foundation, 400 S. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074.

Please remember Mary when you see a blue MGB convertible, a beautiful butterfly, a gorgeous Oklahoma sunset, a pristine beach or majestic mountains. She will be smiling down at you!