Gladys Sullivan Mahoney died peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 74. Gladys was born on July 30, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the second of nine children born to prominent civil rights attorney – and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana in the Kennedy Administration – William Patrick Mahoney, Jr., and his illustrious wife, Alice Doyle Mahoney. The Mahoney’s were instrumental in many civil rights causes of their day, including leading the fight to desegregate Arizona schools before Brown v. Board of Education; the struggle for worker’s rights including the United Farmworkers; and especially Navajo and indigenous rights.
Deeply influenced by her family’s activism and armed with an abiding love of literature and books, Gladys attended the Marymount International School in Rome in the early 1960s. An accomplished cellist, she then attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles for two years as a music major. She transferred to UCLA and received a Bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in History, followed by a Masters in Library Science from USC.
After several years as a novitiate in the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Clara, she came home to Phoenix, thence embarking on her other great passion, as a librarian of 35 years with the City of Phoenix Central Library. Imbued with a lifelong fascination with rare books and arcane printing methods, Gladys helped to establish and curate the nationally renowned Rare Book Room at Burton Barr and was a founding member of the Javelina Press. She was deeply committed to her faith and her community at St. Mary’s Basilica.
An uncommonly private person, Gladys was, very much like her books, rare and erudite and precious. Adored by her many siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and faith community, Gladys will be so deeply and forever missed.
Services will be at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Visitation will begin at 8:30AM, Rosary at 9:30AM, and Mass to be held at 10:00AM. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary’s Food Bank and Southern Poverty Law Center. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Kathleen Sullivan
I send my sincere condolences to all who loved Gladys. May she rest in peace.
Patrick Mahoney
May my aunt rest in peace.
Julia Doyle Crum
To all my dear Mahoney Cousins,
Gladys was a treasure and we will miss her gentle presence and warm spirit
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal
Love leaves a memory no one can steal”. Taken from a headstone in Ireland
With Our love, Always
Terrence Hanson
I will remember Gladys as extremely understanding and professional when interacting with her at the Rare Book Room. She was cordially accepting of my portfolio donation in memory of my mother and I stopped in on occasion to see her at the Library. Gladys emitted calm and graciousness and I am saddened by her departure.
Jeanette Saxon
I had the honor and delight of working in the same office with Gladys for several years. We had a mutual interest in social and political issues we would discuss, as well as the books. I remember our office coffee was never strong enough so she would wait till she could add another scoop and rebrew. I remember her smile and laugh best.
Gladys was a constant mystery to me but I am so glad I knew her.
Condolences to all who will now have a Gladys-shaped hole in their lives. She was a unique and softly strong person and will be missed.
Evon Hart
May her memory be eternal, and the love she shared in this life spread far and wide. Sending my love to all of her family and friends, and especially to her sister Noel and family: Ali, Patrick and Alice.
Mary Pat McChesney
Dear Family of Gladys,
My sister, Margaret McChesney and I attended the Rosary and the Funeral Mass for Gladys yesterday at St. Mary’s Basilica, and Everything was So Beautiful for Gladys. We didn’t know her that well ourselves but we both had enjoyed times with her Mother, Alice, and my sister had encountered Gladys at Mass at St. Mary’s and knew that she was a very active member of the Church Life. We both admire Gladys very much for the Beautiful Life and Loves she lived, and we know that all of you are going to be missing her very much. Our very loving Condolences to All of you.
Mary Pat McChesney
Shera Farnham
I am sorry for your loss of Gladys. I worked with her for many years at Phoenix Central Library. Gladys was a gentle soul who cared deeply about her profession and the materials she was charged with keeping in the Rare Book Room. I can clearly see her demonstrating the Washington Press to a group of enchanted school children. A consummate professional and inspiration. Peace be with you all.