Obituary of Mary Jeanette McAleer

On Saturday March 20th, the first day of spring, Mary McAleer, our loving mother and devoted wife, peacefully passed on to new life after a week of prayerful vigil by family members and clergy at the Porter Hospice Center in Centennial. She was 92 years old. 

Mary grew up in Michigan, but after meeting her future husband at a college dance and getting married two years later, she headed out west to begin their great adventure. Living in six different states over the course of 69 years of marriage, she raised eight children with an abundance of love and laughter. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a gentle grandmother, a joyful great grandmother and a full time homemaker extraordinaire. She just had that touch, that loving touch. She always made you feel at home and important just by her special attention and care. Her kindness extended beyond her family through her many volunteer efforts with the catholic church, and organizations such as meals on wheels. She had the ability to make people feel welcome and valued in almost any situation. In all her efforts she was inspired by "St. Therese's little way", never seeking reward or recognition for her many acts of kindness, but rather doing everything out of love for God, her family and her neighbors. Mary enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family, she was an expert crafter, an excellent seamstress, a wonderful cook, a novice jeweler, and an avid painter. She could do just about anything she tried and enjoyed many artistic pursuits throughout her long and joyful life. She spent the last 36 years in Centennial and is survived by her beloved husband and their eight children, 25 grandchildren, and six (plus one on the way) great grandchildren.