Mary York loved being a lawyer. Her legacy is enviable: A model of how to practice—and how to live—calmly, sensibly, and generously.
Mary, a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the American Bar Association, practiced law for more than 20 years and was among Chicago's most well-regarded attorneys. A partner since 1988 in Mulryan & York, she represented thousands of people over the years, with an emphasis in real estate, business organization, and estate planning.
Mary was an active volunteer in the gay and lesbian community, serving as president of the board of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project (now the Lesbian Community Care Project at Howard Brown Health Center) and as a board member of the Heartland Alliance for Human Rights and Needs. She provided pro bono legal services to the Gerber/Hart Library, Horizons, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse, and other local organizations. In recognition of her efforts, Mary was inducted, along with Rosemary Mulryan, into the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2004.
Mary was also a kind and faithful friend. She cherished rich and lasting relationships with her family, classmates from Barat College in Lake Forest and John Marshall Law School in Chicago, professional colleagues, and friends from all walks of life.