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1933-2025
Mary Jane Tschiffely, 91, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025. She was born in Baggs, Wyo., on September 23, 1933, to Phineas Vinton Lord and Elsie Henrietta Noltensmeier. Mary was the eighth of nine children. Her father Phineas passed away when she was a small child, and her mother married Harry Moore. Together Elsie and Harry had one more daughter. Throughout her life, the children were referred to as "9 Lords and 1 Moore."
At the young age of 16, Mary moved to Thermopolis, Wyo., with her husband, Robert Gilpin. Together they started their family and had three daughters, Barbara, Connie Lynn "Lynnie", and Cindy. Tragedy struck her young family in 1959, when she lost both her daughter, Lynnie, and husband within a short amount of time. Mary often referred to this as her "dark" time and credited her friends and First Baptist Church family for carrying her through.
Mary later married Tom Tschiffely in 1963. They had two additional children, Tommy and Franci.
Mary worked as a teacher's aide at the Big Horn Basin Children's Center, where she made a positive impact on the lives of many young people. Outside of her work, she had a variety of interests that brought her great joy, including sewing, playing cards, bowling, and fishing. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her friends and family. Known for her quick wit and sharp sense of humor, she had a unique ability to bring a smile to the faces of those around her, even in the most challenging times.
Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Fay Gilpin; her daughter, Connie Lynn Gilpin; her second husband, Tom Tschiffely; and her parents. She is survived by her children: Barbara (John) Glazeski, Cindy (Keith) Basse, Tom Tschiffely, and Franci (Chris) Born. She is also survived by two siblings, brother, George Lord and sister, Joan Norris. Mary also leaves behind a legacy of love and joy in her 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, whose lives she touched with warmth and laughter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, in recognition of the support and love Mary found in her faith community.
Mary's spirit, legacy of love, laughter, and kindness will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 31 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, followed by a meal reception.
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