August 22, 1946 – January 12, 2023
Mary Fortune Burghart was born in 1946 in Girard, Kansas, and passed away in Gilbert, Arizona on January 12, 2023.
Mary spent her childhood in Girard with her brothers James Patrick (Jimmie) Cavanaugh and Andrew James (A.J) Cavanaugh. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in finance and accounting. She married Jon Burghart and they enjoyed a close relationship for over 55 years.
Mary and Jon lived in Germany early in their marriage and traveled throughout Europe. They then settled in Wichita, KS where they raised two sons and numerous pets. In her professional life, Mary had a long career in accounting for Pizza Hut and Grene Vision Group. Mary and Jon moved to the Phoenix area following retirement where they lived for a number of years.
Mary is survived by her husband Jon, her brother Jimmie (Joyce), sons Nate (Allison) and Clint (Stephanie), and grandchildren Belle, Hudson, Veronica, and Oliver. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Katie, and her brother A.J.
Mary was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Apache Junction, AZ, where she was a third grade religious education teacher for 10 years, a cat lover and animal advocate, and an avid antique collector, who operated an antique store or booth in Kansas and Arizona for 40 years. Above all, Mary will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Center of Hope in Wichita, KS which has a mission to help prevent homelessness in the Wichita area. The website is CenterofHopeInc.org.
A visitation will be held at St. George Catholic Church 300 E. 16th in Apache Junction, AZ at 9:30 am on Friday, January 20, 2023, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 am. The burial will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery at 7900 E. Main in Mesa, AZ.
