Mary Margaret O' Brien Wallin
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Mary's obituary
Mary Margaret O’Brien Wallin, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully.
Mary was the daughter of Edward Doherty O’Brien and Margaret (Burke) O’Brien. Her maternal grandparents were Sarah Ann (Monaghan) Burke and Matthew Thomas Burke, and her paternal grandparents were John O’Brien and Mary Ann (Doherty) O’Brien.
Born and raised in Champaign, Illinois, Mary was deeply connected to Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she was christened, attended school, and worshiped throughout her life. Mary attended Holy Cross School and Sacred Heart School in Springfield before graduating from Champaign High School. She went on to work for Bell Telephone and later as a CNA in Iowa, , then LPN (after receiving her certification at Parkland College) in Illinois and Arkansas until her retirement.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James Wallin, her brother, Raymond Edward O’Brien; her sister, Ellen Marie O’Brien; Her sister-in-law, Cathy O'Brien, her nephew, Michael E. O’Brien; and her great-nephew, Kevin Hodge.
She is survived by her children, Ann Marie Foster (Margaret Rebull) and James Ralph Foster, Jr., and her four grandchildren: Madeleine Cady Foster, Emma Claire Foster, Graciela Ann Rebull, and Fiona Margaret Rebull. She is also survived by her niece Ann Marie O’Brien; her nephew David Christopher (Lori) Bruder; her niece Katherine (Ned) Bowsher; and their children.
Additional surviving family includes sisters-in-law Janet Sue Horner, Carol O'Brien; and stepchildren Joseph (Susan) Wallin, Jean (Richard) Hankins, and Jamie Wallin, along with their children and grandchildren.
Mary loved musicals, botanical gardens, farmers’ markets, and living history museums. She was a voracious reader, proud of her Irish heritage, and will be remembered for her deep kindness and devotion to family. She loved her grandchildren dearly and took immense pride in their many talents. A Mass Intention in her memory will be offered Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark Street in Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday, October 11th, at the 5:30 p.m.
Mary will be remembered with love by all who knew her.
“May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields, until we meet again”.
In place of flowers, please consider a contribution to the memorial fund for Mary. Contributions of any amount, or simply sharing memories of her, are deeply appreciated. Thank you.
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