Mary Marsolais
Dec 14, 1936 -
Jun 5, 2026
Mary Veronica (Guilfoyle) Marsolais passed away in her sleep on June 5, 2026, from complications of advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. She was born on Dec. 14, 1936, in Ennis, County Claire, Ireland. She was a long-time resident of Eagle River, Alaska.
Mary came to America on Nov. 29, 1956, looking for the American dream in San Bernadino, Calif., to live with her aunt and two cousins.
Mary met the love of her life and got married on Aug. 9, 1958, to Richard George Marsolais of San Bernadino. She was happily married for 54 years until Richard's passing in June 2013.
She proudly became an American citizen on June 9, 1962.
Mary and Richard moved to Alaska in 1966, while Richard was working at Fort Richardson, Mary was bringing up her two daughters, Nedra (Olson) Marsolais and Kathleen (Todd) Marsolais. Mary volunteered at Eagle River Elementary School in the library and in the playground. Mary retired from the Anchorage School District, where she worked as a special education teacher assistant at Denali Elementary School.
Mary began to run in her 40s, and she became a fixture every morning in Eagle River and in the Anchorage running community with her unique but potent running style. Richard always supported his wife and became well-known in the race timing community. Mary ran hundreds of races in her career, with her biggest joy racing in the Boston Marathon and placing 51st.
In 1993, Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer but never let it slow her down. She soon became a very visible runner at the breast cancer races around the country, proudly donating and wearing her pink survivor hat to bring awareness and a cure for breast cancer.
Mary loved physical fitness, especially yoga, and was a frequent visitor to Captain Cook Athletic Club.
Mary is survived by her sisters, Nuala O'Callaghan and Teresa Guilfoyle of Ennis, County Claire, Ireland; brother, Frank Guilfoyle of San Francisco; sister-in-law, Ann Wickum and husband Tom Wickum of Lebanon, Ore., and their children and grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her two daughters, Nedra (Marsolais) Olson and husband Fred Olson of Idaho, and Kathleen (Marsolais) Todd and husband Greg Todd of Windsor, Colo.; three grandchildren, Michael Olson of Broken Arrow, Okla., Benjamin Olson of Westminster, Colo., and Ashley Todd of Fort Collins, Colo.; and two great-grandchildren, Jonah and Jax Olson.
Mary wishes to leave this world in peace and requested not to have a funeral. Please, if you wish, send a donation to St. Andrew's Catholic Church or the Anchorage Running Club in Mary's name.
