Mary Louise Planchart (née Wilson), 83, of Raleigh, NC died peacefully on June 13, 2019 with her daughter-in-law, Carolyn, at her side at the UNC Rex Nursing Home. The cause of death was complications from renal and cardiac failure. Mary was born in Turley, Oklahoma, on February 2, 1936, daughter of the late Earl Winfield Wilson and Hazel Rozella Wilson (née Gaynor).

Mary grew up in Independence, Kansas, the second of six siblings. She attended St. Andrew’s Parochial School and Independence High School, and obtained an Associate’s Degree from Independence Community College. Mary was a "candy striper" for Mercy Hospital in Tulsa, OK; a civil servant in the Federal government; an executive secretary for the Tulsa law firm, McKee, Shuler and Bowker; and a homemaker.

Mary married José Ramon Planchart Montemayor of Caracas, Venezuela on June 2nd, 1961. They met at a church-sponsored dance in Tulsa and though their marriage would end in divorce, it is rumored that theirs was love at first sight. They moved to Washington, DC where Mary held down a full-time job and raised her two sons while José attended university.

Mary went from a small-town life in the Midwest to travel across the country and the world. She lived many years in Venezuela (Caracas and Puerto Ordaz), where she became fluent in Spanish, gave birth to her daughter, and learned to make and love many of the country’s culinary wonders, including the best rice anyone has ever tasted, quesillo, and chantilly. She also lived in Washington, DC, the Rio Grande Valley, Tulsa, Boston, Bar Harbor, and finally Raleigh, where she made Capital Towers her home for the last seven years. Mary loved to travel and bake, was a deeply loved grandmother whose grandkids called her Nanny, an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress, and a ferocious puzzle builder, and she delighted in spending time with family and friends. Mary faced many adversities during her life, including clinical depression and breast cancer, but was sustained by her Roman Catholic faith and the love and support of family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her former husband, her parents, her sister, Rosie, and her brother, Earl. She is survived by three sisters, Geraldine, Shirley and Pam; two sons, Antonio (Carolyn) Planchart of Raleigh, NC and Michael (Sandra) Planchart of Franklin, OH; her daughter, Hazel (Peter) Moses of Ladera Ranch, CA; her grandchildren, Ryan (Lauren), Hazel, Michael (Natalia), Rebecca, Sarah, Luke, Emma, Cole, Beck, and Simon; two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Rio; numerous nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces; and her beloved dog, Jasmin. She leaves behind many dear friends at Capital Towers.

A service in honor of Mary’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary to the UNC Rex Hospital. The family is especially grateful to the dedicated staff at the UNC Rex Heart and Vascular hospital, the UNC Rex rehabilitation center, and the UNC Rex nursing home. Their compassion was evident throughout Mary’s care.