In 1961 she earned a B. A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of South Dakota.
Mary continued her studies at the University of Manchester in England on a Fulbright Scholarship. In 1981, through a Bush Leadership Fellowship, she earned a master's of public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
In 1963, she was married to Donald James "Mike" McClure, They settled in Redfield, S.D.,they are parents of a daughter. Donald McClure died in 1990.
In 1993, Mary was married to former state senator and Brookings businessman John E. Bibby.
Mary was active for many years in South Dakota civic life and Republican politics, she was the first woman to become president pro tempore of the South Dakota Senate. Her unpretentious, fun-loving style endeared her to a wide circle of friends and helped propel her political success, enabling her to quietly break barriers for women.
She was elected in 1975 to the South Dakota state Senate, where she served for 14 years. She was on the executive board of the Legislative Research Council in 1977-1989, becoming chairman in 1986.
She became Senate president pro tempore in 1979, holding that position until 1989, when she resigned to become special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs under President George H.W. Bush, in Washington.
Mary is survived by her daughter, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Mary was preceded in death by both spouses; her sister, Joanne Andersen, and brother-in-law, Lawrence "Andy" Andersen, of Milbank; and her parents.
Burial will be private.
. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=mary-mcclure-bibby&pid=180644896&fhid=23175#sthash.clm2dy7v.dpuf
Gov Dennis Daugaard ordered flags at half mast in her a honor.
In 1961 she earned a B. A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of South Dakota.
Mary continued her studies at the University of Manchester in England on a Fulbright Scholarship. In 1981, through a Bush Leadership Fellowship, she earned a master's of public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
In 1963, she was married to Donald James "Mike" McClure, They settled in Redfield, S.D.,they are parents of a daughter. Donald McClure died in 1990.
In 1993, Mary was married to former state senator and Brookings businessman John E. Bibby.
Mary was active for many years in South Dakota civic life and Republican politics, she was the first woman to become president pro tempore of the South Dakota Senate. Her unpretentious, fun-loving style endeared her to a wide circle of friends and helped propel her political success, enabling her to quietly break barriers for women.
She was elected in 1975 to the South Dakota state Senate, where she served for 14 years. She was on the executive board of the Legislative Research Council in 1977-1989, becoming chairman in 1986.
She became Senate president pro tempore in 1979, holding that position until 1989, when she resigned to become special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs under President George H.W. Bush, in Washington.
Mary is survived by her daughter, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Mary was preceded in death by both spouses; her sister, Joanne Andersen, and brother-in-law, Lawrence "Andy" Andersen, of Milbank; and her parents.
Burial will be private.
. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=mary-mcclure-bibby&pid=180644896&fhid=23175#sthash.clm2dy7v.dpuf
Gov Dennis Daugaard ordered flags at half mast in her a honor.
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