Mary Helen Gough Landes

 Mary Helen Gough Landes became whole again on January 28, 2025. 

Mary Helen was born to Charles and Mildred (Currey) Gough on June 13, 1943, which (according to Mom) made Grandma happy, because the family got more war rations and could buy sugar. Mary spent her idyllic childhood in Kansas, IL, (population 800) with her siblings, John and Vesta Jane (both deceased) and Ned. Mom said that she and Ned never fought and that she wouldn’t be friends with anyone that wouldn’t let Ned tag along. John and Vesta, who were 12 and 14 years older, loved her “like their own”. She idolized Vesta and followed her into nursing. She fondly remembers receiving lots of presents that John would send from all over the world when he was in the Navy. Mom took great pride in her family’s farming legacy, a tradition that has spanned three generations. She loved to look at those beans! Mom would also want everyone to remember that she was an amazing Kansas Bulldog cheerleader and a virtuoso cymbals player in the band. 

After high school, Mary attended Evansville College where she obtained a Bachelor of Nursing degree and was given her now “famous” Chevy Impala convertible as a graduation gift. Mary worked for several years at the VA hospital in Marion before becoming the vocational nursing teacher at Marion High School, where she retired after 20 years of service. Teaching her students to “Always Care” and inspiring them to continue their education in nursing was her passion. 

Mary married Robert Roy Landes, her high school sweetheart, in 1965, and he preceded her in death. They had 2 children, Rob and Tracy, who never spent a single second in life not knowing the blessing of her selfless, unconditional, and immense love. She also had a daughter-in-law, Jess, & son-in-law, Patrick, she adored and cherished – like “blood”! 

Becoming “GranMary” was one of her life’s greatest joys. Abby (Andrew), Libby, Payton, and Amelia Mary were also fortunate enough to be recipients of her boundless love. GranMary’s hugs were tight, her words full of encouragement, and her home always a haven of comfort, understanding, and fun. Mom has been very busy in heaven sharing pictures and videos of her most precious great-granddaughter, Magnolia Mae, and will be watching over Abby, as we prepare to welcome a new life into our family in March. 

Mom was also “GranMary”, Aunt Mary, favorite teacher, and favorite human to so many. Words simply don’t capture the depth or the “bigness” of who she was. To know her was to love her, and everyone loved her…A LOT. She had a gift of making everyone feel special, heard, and cared for. Her kindness, her laugh, and her presence is already missed beyond measure. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 1st (2:00 – 5:00 pm visitation; 5:00 pm service) at Blue Funeral Home located at 1704 North Court Street in Marion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mary’s memory to the Marion CUSD #2 - Nursing Program. This is the nursing program at the High School that she helped establish and is currently led by one of her former students. She would love the idea of continuing to make a difference for anyone pursuing the noble field of nursing.