Mary Elaine O’Hara 1926 - 2014

O’HARA, HAYES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/6/2014 at 20:43:18

Sioux City Journal
5 October 2014

SIOUX CITY | Mary Elaine O’Hara, 88, of Sioux City died on Oct. 2, 2014 at a Sioux City nursing home.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Daniel Rupp officiating. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of the Resurrection at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Mary Elaine was born on May 8, 1926, in Sioux City. She was the daughter of Michael and Bessie (Hayes) O’Hara. She was a lifelong resident of Sioux City. Mary Elaine graduated from Cathedral High School in 1944 and Briar Cliff College in 1951 with a degree in teaching. She taught second, third and fourth grades at Grant, Hawthorne and Leeds elementary schools. She retired from teaching in 1990. Working with children and teaching them was the most important part of her life.

Mary Elaine was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish and was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Ave Maria Court. She also belonged to the Retired Educators Association. She enjoyed playing cards with friends.

She is survived by her cousin, Robert and Alicia Betz of San Antonio, Texas; her adopted family through her deceased best friend, Mary Helen McElroy of Sioux City, Jim (Diane) McElroy, Mary (Dave) Bishop, Helen Clymer, Eileen (Ken) Friedmann, Terry (Kris) McElroy, Maureen (Dennis) Van Meter, Annie (Mike) Meier, John (Marci) McElroy, Pat (Teresa) McElroy, Katie (Ron) Demers, and Dan (Leann) McElroy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Orvella; her brother, Cletus; and her beloved dog, Boots.

A memorial has been established in her name for Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.