Mary Catherine (Nix) Garrison, known to most as Mary K, passed away on August 2, 2025.

Affectionately called Cac by her family, she was the oldest of 5 children born to Carl and Mary Nix in Poseyville, Indiana, on March 31, 1930. After graduating from North Posey High School as the Valedictorian for the class of 1948, she attended a 3 year nursing program at St. Mary's in Evansville, Indiana where she became a Registered Nurse.

Mary K met Tom while attending North Posey High School. They married on September 15, 1951 and celebrated 62 years of marriage together before Tom died in 2012.  Mary K embodied a life of service.  She worked as a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville until Tom and Mary K moved to West Lafayette while Tom attended Purdue University after he returned from his service in Korea. Mary K worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, then at St John's in Anderson, Indiana while they lived in Markleville.  Tom and Mary K moved their family to Brownsburg in 1966 and Mary K began working at Hendricks County Hospital.  For the last 27 years of her nursing career, Mary K worked for the office of Drs. Black, Walker and Baker/Brownsburg Medical Clinic. She retired in 1995 from nursing and turned her focus to serving her community with her strong faith and compassion.  Tom and Mary K were active members of St. Malachy Catholic Church.   There Mary K was a lector, eucharistic minister, school board member, altar society member, and founding member of the existing Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Mary K was also a member of NCCW, American Legion Auxiliary where she served as the Chaplain, Membership Chair, and Poppy Chair throughout her membership.  She also volunteered her time with Faith in Action, and was recognized as Hendricks' County Older Citizen of the Year in 2000. Throughout her life, she loved gardening and canning her vegetables, quilting, crocheting, and spending time with family.  She was well known for the delicious vegetable soup she made for the St. Malachy bazaar each year and shared with the Catholic Center!

Mary K was preceded in death by her parents, husband Tom, siblings Ann Powers, Sonny Nix, and Teresa Allen, son Greg Garrison, sons in law Steven Naanes, Sean Mullen, daughter in law Cheryl Garrison, grandchildren Vida Dannielle Garrison, Brittany Channel Dalton, and Michael Garrison.

Mary K is survived by her sister, Margaret Herrel, son Mike Garrison, daughters Becky Garrison, Marty Dunn, husband Ray, Mary Beth Mullen, Cathy Brinkerhoff, husband Doug, Joanie Stader, husband Brian; grandchildren Tiffany Giles, husband Brian, Patrick Rodriguez, wife Faye Matthews, Erin Rodriguez, Kyley Tutterow, husband Jeffery, Curtis Trujillo, wife Tiffany, Luke Garrison, Garrison Brinkerhoff, Kristen Brinkerhoff, Connor Stader, Brock Stader, fiancée Catalina Gallegos.  Step grandchildren Steve Dunn, wife Angela, Brian Dunn, wife Des. Great grandchildren include Taylor Cool, husband Cameron, Jake Giles, wife Liz, Hank Giles, Ella Garrison, Thomas Garrison, Amelia Garrison, Finnegan Rodriguez, Naqiya Rodriguez, Tatum Tutterow, Tenley Tutterow, Rhiannon Dunn, and great great granddaughter Evelyn Jo Cool and another great grandchild on the way.   She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

The impact of Mary K's faith and friendship was exemplified in the care she received.  It takes a village and she was blessed to have an incredible village for the past 3 years.  Special thanks to Dr. Karen Johns, Michele Moran, Michael Quinn, Tina Spears, and Brighton Hospice, especially Jeanne Trauner, Sara Phelan, Adekemi Oyewole, and family friend Linda Osborn.

Visitation will be from 4 pm to 7 pm Thurs. Aug. 7 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.  All are welcome to attend a Catholic Rosary beginning at 3 pm followed by an American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Ceremony.  Visitation will begin following the Poppy Ceremony.  Funeral Mass will be at 10 am Fri. Aug. 8 at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 9833 E. CR 750N, Brownsburg, IN 46112.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Malachy Altar Society or the American Legion Auxiliary, post 331.