Mary Rooney
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Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Rooney, 77, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Feb. 16, 2011 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Fidelity Catholic Church Cemetery in Fairview, KS. Mrs. Rooney died Sunday, February 13, 2011 at The Windsor surrounded by her family. She was born in Salina, KS on Dec. 12, 1933, the daughter of Leo "Jack" and Ida (Konkel) Rickman. She graduated from Southwest High School, Kansas City, MO, in 1950. In 1955, she graduated from the University of Kansas with a Fine Arts degree and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. Mary Lou met George "Ned" Rooney after they both had gotten their degrees at KU. On October 22, 1956, they were married at the Ft. Huatchua, AZ army base. She was a stay-at-home mother and raised three children. She created a dried flower business from her home. In addition, for 40 years, she was a talented, decorative Toll painter and watercolor artist, selling her works at fairs. Her husband’s job moved the family from Overland Park, KS to Baton Rouge, LA in 1975. A few years later, she and her husband were transferred to Richmond, VA. Mary Lou was active in a local garden club, the Stonehenge Golf and Country Club, couple’s bridge, book club, and dinner group in Richmond, Virginia for 25 years. Mary Lou enjoyed nature, growing flowers and being creative. Her friends from high school, college, Overland Park and Richmond were very dear to her. At the first retirement residential complex that the Rooney’s moved to in Lawrence, they were voted the most devoted and loving couple by neighbors on Valentine’s Day. She is survived by a loving family which includes: husband, George Rooney, Lawrence; daughter, Cathy "Cat" Howland, Lawrence, KS; sons, Kevin Rooney, Baton Rouge, LA, and Bruce Rooney, Louisburg, KS and five grandchildren, Emily, Nick, Eliza, DeAnna, and Marshall. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Betty. Visitation is at the church at 9:00, rosary at 9:30, and funeral mass at 10:00. Luncheon provided prior to departure for graveside services at Fidelity in Fairview, KS. Suggested memorials to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Send in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044-3402.
Our family wants to thank everyone for your support and kinds words. We are hoping this site will be a way to get the information out about mom’s death to friends in KC and Richmond. Her address book was lost sometime back making it difficult to contact people. Dad went into the hospital the day after the funeral with something looking like a stroke. He is still in ICU as his blood pressure is not stable but responding to physical therapy for eating and walking. Please sent his site to others who may be interest in knowing the information. Again, thank you!
Dear Cathy Rooney. I keep records of the Fairview HighSchool alumni and send the invitation to the alumni dinner each year. I sent you mother’s obit to the Fairview paper. Jerry Meyer, an old friend of Ned’s went to the funeral, said Ned was not well, and in a nursing home. We are very sad to hear of your mother’s death and your father’s illness. Please accept our sympathy. Your dad ran the mile in track with my husband Charles. If you would feel comfortable giving me an address for Ned, I would appreciate it, will continue to send the FHS alumni invitation.
sincerely, Carolyn Middendorf
We lived next door to George and Mary Lou for many years in Richmond, VA. They were wonderful neighbors and friends with terrific senses of humor. I missed them terribly when I moved out of the neighborhood but have such warm and wonderful memories. I have many of Mary Lou’s works of art in my home and I cherish every one. The world was a better and more beautiful place because of George and Mary Lou. They will be missed.