Mary Jane (Daley) Donarski

Our mother was born January 10th, 1932 to Angela (Martens) and Edward Daley. Her young years were spent in Coleman, WI; and later, the family moved to Green Bay. Mom graduated from Green Bay West in 1951 and then went to work for Kellogg’s Bank. Up until her passing she enjoyed meeting the “Kellogg’s Girls” for lunch every month. Our mother married her life’s partner, our father, Daniel Jerome, on August 4th, 1956. Together they had six children. Mary Angela, who passed with her first breath in 1957 at Ft. Riley, Kansas, Daniel Jerome, JR. (Kristin), Mark Steven (Barb), Thomas John (Debbie), Paul Francis (Paula), and Jane Elizabeth (Bob). Outside of our father, who was her greatest love, we were her greatest joy. We were/are her kids, “we weren’t angels for pete’s sake”. There were times we certainly tried her patience; yet her love never ended. Mother Mary was the last surviving sibling of Grandpa and Grandma Daley. Her brother Dr. Edward (Shirley) Daley (who delivered Daniel Jr), passed first and much too early. John (Joan) followed next, followed by Dr. George (Ave) Daley, and then recently her favorite, and only sister, Betty (Jim) Kuhn. Our family has a fun history, both our mother and father were twins, born one day apart. We children are more then happy we didn’t carry that gene. Mom adored all her grandchildren. There’s Karen and Eric; Trevor, Savannah, and Breanna; and Elizabeth. Mary and our father doted over them and spoiled them in true style. When our parents finally needed a break they turned them back over to us. Much to their delight by the way! We heard them giggling. No one could ever say our mother was a stick in the mud. She loved to square dance. Ice skating was a passion, as was cross country skiing. She golfed and bowled with extreme pleasure even though her scores were never really, well, let’s leave that blank. Oh, and we can’t forget her afternoon and evening bridge clubs. When she was the hostess it was the only day of the year the fine china came out. Which is probably the only reason it’s still in tack. Lest we forget: bingo and slots. There’s a chair with a permanent impression in it at the Oneida Bingo Hall. Rumor has it there’s another one at Island Resort and Casino. One of her favorite spots to relax was at the cottage in Door County. Swinging on her hammock, or reclining in the lounge chair, or playing board games with whoever dared to play with her are smiling memories. Another one was in Destin, FL. For fifteen years of the last eighteen years that’s where they wintered. Which only goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks. They definitely learned they could leave the ice and snow right after a family Christmas. Yes, she was certainly a Packer Fan. She was “one of those.” Watching a game with her was taking your hearing for granted. We learned to wear ear muffs. Her love and devotion to her family was only surpassed for her love of the Lord. We even nicknamed her Mother (Superior) Mary. One of her last requests was for her doctor to recite the Hail Mary with her. When asked if she was doing okay her reply was, “I’ll be fine, God told me so.” She could get cantankerous with hierarchy. She told the bishop that same day to “quit showing off” as he and our father were speaking in Latin. Family and friends may visit at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Allouez, on Wednesday, March 30, from 5-7pm with a parish prayer service concluding the evening. Visitation will continue on Thursday, at the church, from 9:30am until 10:45am. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00am with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Entombment in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Cotter Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. We send our sincere thanks to the entire staff of Odd Fellows. Mom was a “frequent flyer.” there. There are simply too many angels on staff to thank personally. Thanks also to all her doctors and Unity Hospice. Don’t know how you folks do it, but there’s a special place in heaven for all of you. (In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been started to fund local charities).