Mary Kearney

Mary Kearney, aged 92, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. 

Mary was born December 17, 1923 in Slovakia the daughter of Katherine & Charles Kraiger.  The family moved to Canada when Mary was two years old and eventually settled in Fort William.

In 1950, Mary married the love of her life Frank Kearney.  Mary and Frank enjoyed 63 years of marriage before the passing of Frank in 2014. Mary and Frank raised three girls; Mary, Frances and Carolyn. 

Through hard work and dedication, they built a beautiful home in Vickers Heights to raise their family.  Frank and Mary lived in Vickers Heights for more than 60 years.  Most recently Mary was a resident of Hogarth Place; the family is very appreciative of the care she received by the warm Hogarth staff. Mary served in the navy during World War II. 

She was proud of her service and was instrumental in forming the Ex WRENS group over 25 years ago.  The group is still active today.  Mary also belonged to the Thunder Bay Naval Association. After the war Mary and Frank operated an aircraft maintenance business located at the Thunder Bay airport.  Mary worked side by side with Frank in the shop to build a successful business until retirement. Mary’s faith was a foundation for her life.  She was one of the founding members of the Holy Family Catholic Church. 

Mary worked tirelessly as a member and Past President of the Holy Family Alter Society which helped to raise the funds needed to make the church a beautiful place for worship. Mary had a love for music. 

With her strong soprano voice, she inspired the Holy Family parishioners as a cantor and leader of song of the choir for many years Service to the community was important to Mary. 

She was a long time member of the Women’s Institute.  She served as president for a number of years.  She was a member of the Thunder Bay Television Advisory Council, Holy Family Parish Ladies Society, Vickers Heights Community Center Board and the Local Credit Union Board.  She also had a long time involvement in Royal Canadian Slovak Legion, branch 129, of which her father, Charles Kraiger, was a founding member.

Mary was a strong woman of faith who freely gave her time and energy for the betterment of her family, her church and her community.  Those who knew Mary will remember her outgoing personality.  She was always willing to have a laugh and strike up a conversation. Mary is survived by her daughters Mary and Carolyn and her grandchildren Christopher Kearney,

Michelle Tuomi, Erin Hill and Robert Hill.  She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Frank, her daughter Frances, her sister Kay and her brother Charles.

The family asks that donations in Mary’s memory be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay. Funeral mass will be at Holy Family Church, 2055 Rosslyn Road on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 11:00am celebrated by Rev. Randall Morrisseau. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 pm with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00pm in the Blake Funeral Chapel.

Mary Kearney will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove.  Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.