Mary A. Mullaney, age 80, of Shullsburg passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, February 9, 2016 in Naples, Fla. and will be laid to rest in her hometown on July 2, 2016 with a loving celebration of her life.
Mary was born May 23, 1935 in Shullsburg, the daughter of A. Leo and C. Gladys (Ganshert) McKendrey. Mary graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1953. She married Byron J. Mullaney on May 7, 1960 and they raised their family while living in and moving across Canada over the next 20 years.
Mary is survived by her five devoted children residing around the country: Anne Mullaney of Napa Valley, Calif., Sean Mullaney of Las Vegas, Nev., Todd (Jennifer) Mullaney of Metamora, Mich., T. Michael (Jayme) Mullaney of Boise, Idaho, and Tara Mullaney of Nashville, Tenn.; sister Patti Lasser of Naples, FL and brother-in-law Ron Pole of Corpus Christi, TX; seven grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and a great many best friends whom she adored. She is preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, brother David McKendrey and sister Jane Pole.
To know Mary was to love her. The welcoming flash of her warm bright smile, a firm squeeze and her caring, genuine interest in your life. Mary engaged and enthralled everyone swept up by her irresistible combination of grace, strength and fun-loving spirit. She made you feel special. Stylish, well dressed and magnetic, Mary lit up a room with her midwestern charm and grace. Some have likened her presence and poise to Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy, along with a dash of Mary Tyler Moore enthusiasm! Among her many passions were family, friends, Packers football (or any good sports match for that matter), and dessert! Always curious and adventurous, Mary enjoyed jazz, concerts, culture, reading and keeping up with current events, visiting her children, and a calendar befitting a true social butterfly.  She loved to host Happy Hour with a good Manhattan to the point where her guests “forgot to go home!” Her labrythian storytelling (with an astonishing memory of details big and small) always provided a reward for the listener’s attention. Her best advice, “Accept people for who they are” has long been appreciated by her children. Mary will be remembered for her beauty, courage, kindness, sense of humor and positive disposition. But most of all, her joie de vivre and the love she shared with all those lucky enough to know her. As you often heard her exclaim in delight, “I’m having WAY too much fun!” and “I am the luckiest duck.”
The Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (344 N. Judgement Street, Shullsburg, 53586) with her cousin Monsignor Daniel Ganshert of Madison presiding. Visitation with family will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the vestibule of the church until the time of services, immediately followed by burial in St. Matthew’s Cemetery. The parish will also host a luncheon reception in the school’s gymnasium as part of this special day. All are welcome.
The Erickson Funeral Home in Shullsburg is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.