Mary died on June 9, 2008 at UNC Hospitals. She was born in Minneapolie, MN on September 17, 1938 to James Rush and Erma Sjoquist Rush. Mary received her BA degree in International Relations and Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Minnesota. Married to Dr. Khalid S. Ishaq on December 1, 1968 and arrived in Chapel Hill on December 4.

Mary was a reference librarian in Wilson Library. At the time of her retirement in 1986, she was the Acting Head of the Humanities Reference Department in Walter Davis Library. After her retirement she worked and volunteered at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Mary is survived by her husband Khalid Ishaq; sister Janice Becker of Dayton, OH; cousin Jack Sjoquist of Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law Samira Ishaq Ashoo of Raleigh; and their families.

Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Newman Student Center at the University of North Carolina with a reception immediately following.

Memorials may be made to the North Carolina Botanical Gardens, Chapel Hill; Interfaith Council for Social Service; and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The family respectfully requests no flowers. Walker’s Funeral Home is serving the Ishaq family.