Mary Kathryn “Mary Kay” Tulloch, known to many simply as “MK,” peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord on April 28, 2026.

Mary Kay was born on May 28, 1939, in Malone, New York, the daughter of Dr. Kenneth A. Tulloch and Loretta Lemire Tulloch. She is survived by her brother, John Tulloch and his wife, Mimi, of Ruskin, Florida; her sister in-law, Maureen Tulloch of Rochester, New York; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she dearly loved. She is also survived by lifelong friends of more than 60 and 70 years, including dear friends whose care and companionship brought her great comfort in her final years. She was predeceased by her parents and by her brothers, Kenneth and Donald.

A lifelong communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Malone, Mary Kay’s faith was a steady and important part of her life. She loved growing up in Malone and spending summers on Lake Titus, where many of her lifelong friendships began. She also cherished the annual family reunion each July, when family and friends returned to Malone to reconnect, celebrate, tell stories, and share memories.

Mary Kay attended Malone schools and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in South Bend, Indiana. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. Her professional teaching career focused on elementary and remedial mathematics and included assignments in Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and inner-city Chicago. In 1968, she returned home to Malone to care for her mother and continued her teaching career with Malone Central Schools until her retirement.

MK lived a full and active life rooted in faith, family, service, friendship, and spirited conversation. She was especially close to her brothers, Kenneth, Donald, and John, and treasured the laughter, stories, opinions, and good-natured debate that came with being part of the Tulloch family.

For the past 30 years, Mary Kay was the beloved matriarch of her large family, helping keep everyone connected in her own unmistakable way. She led with love, loyalty, and a firm sense of how things should be done, and everyone knew that once MK made up her mind, the matter was pretty well settled.

MK was famous for what her siblings, nieces, and nephews lovingly called her drive-thru phone calls: a quick check-in, a few questions about how everyone was doing, and then she was ready to get off the phone. A call that passed the 60-second mark was rare, memorable, and practically a sit-down visit. She wanted to know, she wanted to connect, and she never needed a long conversation to make everyone feel remembered.

Among her great joys were the evening conversations and lively banter with her brother Ken about local events, family news, sports, and the happenings of the day.

She was an avid walker, often averaging five miles a day, a dedicated bridge player, and a gifted golfer. She won her first ladies’ club championship at age 17 and went on to win the Malone Ladies Club Championship 15 times across five decades. She especially enjoyed the friendly competition and camaraderie of the game, including her spirited and friendly rivalry with Lucie LaPlante. In recognition of their remarkable legacies at Malone Golf Club, the Ladies’ Club Championship trophy is named in honor of both Mary Kay and Lucie. In 2025, she was honored as a first-year inductee into the Malone Golf Club Hall of Fame.

Mary Kay was also, quite possibly, the greatest Notre Dame football fan in history. Football Saturdays were sacred, and anyone who knew her understood that no matter where she was, finding a television for the Notre Dame game was not optional. She found great joy in rooting for the Irish and sharing that excitement with family and friends.

Mary Kay gave generously of her time and talents to the Malone community. She served on the North Country Community College Foundation Board and was a strong advocate for the Malone campus. During her mother’s stay in the nursing home, she became a devoted advocate for quality nursing home care. After her mother’s passing, Mary Kay continued visiting residents almost daily for more than 20 years, helping staff where she could, offering companionship to those in need, and serving on the Alice Hyde Nursing Home committee.

Above all, Mary Kay was deeply proud of her family and friends. She loved time spent together, whether at church, on the golf course, at Lake Titus, at family gatherings, watching Notre Dame football, or in quiet acts of service to others. She was a mentor, a giver, a servant, a loyal friend, and a beloved member of the Malone community.

The family is deeply grateful to Mary Kay’s closest friends, whose love, companionship, and support meant so much to her throughout her life and especially in her final days. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to the medical staff at UVM Health in Malone, New York, for their compassionate care and for being with Mary Kay until the end.

MK will be missed by so many whose lives she touched. A memorial service will be held in July.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Malone Golf Futures Foundation

C/O Nick Eels

31 Elm St

Malone, NY 12953