Mary C. Killalea's Obituary
Killalea, Mary Catherine, age 87, the oldest of five children of Martin Francis and Veronica Ellen (Nellie) Marrin, died on November 16, 2018 after a brief illness. She was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN where she attended Holy Rosary grade school and St. Margaret’s Academy.
In her early career, Mary worked for AT&T as a long lines switch board operator and also for Cargill Company as an office worker. In the late 1970’s she worked at Clearwater Central Catholic High School as the “Lunch Lady”. After retiring, she volunteered as an election poll worker, and at both Light of Christ and St. Catherine’s Catholic churches.
Mary met her future spouse, William P. (Pat) Killalea, through their attendance at Holy Rosary Church. They were married June 6, 1953, and would spend the next 63 years together as a loving couple raising their family through both the good times and the tough times.
She is survived by her two younger sisters Margaret (Peggy) Marrin, Martha Wilczyk (Jerry); her children Bill (Geri), Tim (Debbie), Joe (Mary Rita), Tom, Mary Elizabeth, Paul (Audrea) and grandchildren, Megan, John, Katie, Lindsey, J.J., Cathy, Shawn, Mike, Cecilia, Kelly, Kyle, and great grandchildren Kylee, Erin, Alexander, Javonni, Brooklyn and Ryleigh.
She was preceded in death by her husband Pat, her parents, her brother Martin Andrew Marrin, her sister Cecelia Ann Marrin, her sons Dennis, James, John and daughter Margaret Ann, granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Killalea, great granddaughter Teagan Carter.
Early on Mary Catherine showed a strong interest and talent in music, especially singing. She was a long time member of the choir for Holy Rosary Church in Minneapolis and for Light of Christ Church, where the family has been members for 47 years. In the 1970’s and 1980’s you would often find Mary singing the National Anthem at the Clearwater Central Catholic HS and Clearwater High basketball games when her sons were playing for those teams. She was an avid crossword puzzle player (in ink!) and loved to watch sports on TV, especially the Minnesota Vikings.
Mary Catherine was a loving, dedicated wife, mother, and grandma who will be missed by all of her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Mary Catherine's name can be made to the charity of your choice.
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