Mary Claire Bixby, 78, of Milan, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at home.

A memorial service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 25th at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 24th at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Mary was born on March 14, 1947, in Moline, IL, a daughter of William and Hyacinth (Holland) Price. She graduated from Alleman High School in 1966 and went on to attend the California College of Health Sciences, where she earned her certification as a respiratory therapist. Mary went on to work for several local hospitals as a respiratory therapist. On February 8, 1969, she married John R. Bixby in Rock Island, and he preceded her in death on February 9, 2021.

Mary's hobbies included traveling, cross-stitch and spending time with family and friends. She was able to visit many places including, Fiji, Tahiti, Jamaica and several of the fifty states. Mary especially enjoyed her long weekends in Galena, IL. Cross-stitch was a passion of hers and she ensured that all family and close friends received personalized Christmas socks to remember her by. She even won a few contests over the years for some of her work. Before the passing of her husband in 2021, the two of them enjoyed driving to many state parks to hike, camp, picnic and take photos.

Those left to cherish Mary's memory include her children, Jennifer (Kirk) Pattison, Rock Island and William R. (Mindy) Bixby, Altoona, IA; grandchildren, Aaron (Amanda) McCombs, Aubrianna Bixby, Alexzandria (John) Ramirez, Alyssa Bixby and Kale Pattison; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Liam, Mabel, William "Little Bill", Cruzar, Leo and Aveah Lou; sister, Patricia "Pat" Veronda; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, John and parents, William and Hyacinth Price.

Mary dearly loved her best friend, Cheri Frakes, and all the memories they made together over the years. They made sure to call each other everyday and they always claimed that "True friends are great riches". Mary truly valued her friendship with Cheri.

Online condolences may be left for the family on Mary's tribute wall by visiting, www.wheelanpressly.com.