Mary Elizabeth Cottam McGuff, 98, of Signal Mountain, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016.
She was born in Chattanooga on November 15, 1917, to the late Charles A. Cottam and Mary Erwin Cottam and also was raised by Agnes Frassrand Cottam upon her mother’s death.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, James Robert “Bob” McGuff.
Mary is survived by her children; Mary Beth (Paul) Babikow of Baltimore; Agnes A. (James) Wheeler of Chattanooga; David E. McGuff of Chattanooga; and Charles L. McGuff of Knoxville; as well as six grandchildren, Amy Babikow-Bach (Tuan) of Tampa, FL; Ana Babikow of Fredericksburg, MD; Elizabeth Wheeler (Chris) Maounis of Chattanooga, James Wheeler of Nashville, John (Hannah) Wheeler, and Robert Wheeler both of Chattanooga; and several great-grandchildren.
A resident of Signal Mountain and long-time parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Mary graduated from Notre Dame High School and lived as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She participated in the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and was a committed volunteer with the Chattanooga Ladies of Charity and the Alexian Village. Her children wish to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Alexian for providing a true home of dignity and love for their mother in her final years, as well as to the many kind individuals who aided in her care.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on Sunday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1716 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, followed by a Rosary Service.
A Mass of Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Augustine. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ladies of Charity, 2821 Rossville Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or Alexian Village Scholarship Fund, 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com