Mary Gourlay Obituary – Mary Bartlett Gourlay made an indelible impact on the hearts of many Kansans and tourists from all over the world via her management of the cherished Bartlett Arboretum. Her legacy will live on in perpetuity. Tens of thousands of people visited the home of Mary Bartlett, who was the granddaughter of Walter Bartlett, the visionary founder of the Belle Plaine attraction in 1910. Mary’s steadfast dedication and enthusiasm for the arboretum brought tens of thousands of people to the home of her family.
The vastness and splendor of the Bartlett Arboretum, which Mary used as her own personal playground, played a significant role in Mary’s upbringing. A profound connection to the land, its history, and its flora was something that she developed throughout the course of her life. Mary never imagined that she would one day be the manager of the arboretum, despite the fact that she was intimately familiar with every nook and cranny of the facility.
But fate had other things in store for us. Mary accepted her role as a gracious host, opening the gates of the arboretum to people from all over the world, despite the fact that she had not initially been enthusiastic about the idea. Mary’s friendly personality and extensive knowledge of the arboretum’s wide variety of plant species caught the imaginations of everyone who entered the premises of the arboretum.
Over the course of several decades, Mary took great pleasure in providing guests with guided tours of the arboretum, during which she regales them with stories about the arboretum’s illustrious history and the floral marvels it contains. Her profound connection to the land was demonstrated by the fact that she was able to recall the Latin names of each and every tree that was located on the expansive 19-acre property.
Nevertheless, Mary’s genuine talent resided in her capacity to form meaningful connections with individuals, which she possessed in addition to her work as a tour guide. Not only did she greet them as guests, but she also welcomed them as treasured friends, sharing stories, laughter, and a true love for nature with them.
The departure of Mary Bartlett Gourlay has left a tremendous void in the hearts of everyone who had the honor of experiencing her presence in their lives. It is a monument to her persistent devotion to preserving the natural beauty and tradition of the Bartlett Arboretum that her legacy as a custodian of the arboretum will remain for all of time.
At the same time that we are saying our goodbyes to Mary, let us remember her legacy of hospitality, stewardship, and care for the natural world. Her legacy will continue to blossom and flourish in the hearts of all those who were touched by her warmth and compassion, even though she may no longer be physically here among us.
Let us make a commitment to conserve and protect the Bartlett Arboretum as a living witness to Mary Bartlett Gourlay’s amazing life and enduring legacy. This is our way of paying tribute to Mary Bartlett Gourlay. May her memory serve as a source of solace and motivation for each and every one of us.
