Mary Finnegan

Mary was born Dec. 8, 1911, in Eveleth to John and Angela (Perousek) Debevec. She grew up and attended school in Eveleth before receiving a registered nurse degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul in 1934. She worked at hospitals in Canby and Marshall. On Oct. 17, 1938, Mary and John F. Finnegan were married in Eveleth and then made their home in Minneota. Mary was the school nurse for Marshall Public Schools from 1951-1977. Mary was an avid reader, passing her love of literature to her children. She was a creative cook and baker and had an eye for a good recipe. She entered hundreds of recipe contests and won many awards, highlighted by twice traveling to the Pillsbury Bake-Off. Mary was deeply religious and it was the foundation of her life. She had a rosary devotion and she would pray the rosary as she drove to Marshall with her car filled with students going to Central Catholic High School. In later years, she prayed the rosary for the intentions of health and happiness for family and friends. After living in Minneota for 67 years, Mary moved to Hill Street Place in Marshall in 2001. Although losing eyesight and hearing, she continued assisted reading of newspapers, letters and magazines to follow current and family events. She was a vibrant mother and grandmother who loved and supported her family until the day she died. Survivors include her children Kathleen (and Robert) Shepard of Palm Desert, Calif., John (and Lois) Finnegan Jr. of Yorkville, Ill., Marcia (and Paul) Rehkamp of Marshall and Timothy (and Rene) Finnegan of Bend, Ore.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and her sister Dorothy (and Ernie) Tomatz of Eveleth. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John in 1983, brother John and sisters, Agnes and Ann.