Mary "Terry" Wilkes

Mary (Terry) McGrane Wilkes (60), of Hilton Head, passed away on June 21, 2012 after a six-month struggle with cancer. She was continually surrounded by family and friends, and we are all at peace knowing that the Lord has prepared a place for her. Mary was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1952 to Bill and Mary McGrane. In 1973 she married Duncan Wilkes in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and together they had three wonderful children and two precious grandchildren, with another on the way. Mary attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Idaho State University with a BS in Nursing. Mary, having lived in fourteen U.S. states and the Netherlands, touched and influenced many hearts in many places. She brought insight, wisdom, and laughter as only Mary could do. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, for whom she was Mimi. She had a passion for travel, decorating, scrapbooking, and cooking, and greatly valued the times she continued to spend annually with her Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters (Iowa). Her ministry was very much to her nursing patients at Hilton Head Dermatology, and she brought healing and joy to all those who entered her life. Mary is survived by her husband, Duncan, children Courtney Wilkes of Morgantown, WV, Matthew Wilkes of Beaufort, SC, and Caitlin Uttley of Westerville, OH, grandchildren Madison and Tyler of Beaufort, her mother Mary and stepfather Jim Blanco of Hilton Head, her brother Billy McGrane of Hilton Head, and sisters Jean Ference of Fairplay, CO, Laurie Buttkus of Hingham, MA, and Beth Powers of Scituate, MA. She was preceded in death by her father Charles William McGrane in 1989. Mary loved and was loved dearly by all who were blessed to know her. A celebration of Mary's life will take place on Saturday, June 23, at Low Country Community Church in Bluffton, SC at 2:00pm. The family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry or the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. Isaiah 41:13 says "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear."