Mary Kelly McCue, age 60, died on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, in Helena, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born Mary Lynn Kelly on June 6, 1950, in Havre, Montana, to Lloyd and Leone “Rickie” Kelly, the oldest of their three children. She attended St. Jude Grade School and graduated from Havre Central High School in 1968. While in high school she worked in her father’s retail music store, The Music Center. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and there earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications and a teaching certificate in secondary education in 1972.
During college and following graduation she worked for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroads as a telegrapher and train agent. She greatly enjoyed this job, in which she worked in about 40 small train stations throughout Montana. Following graduation from college, she taught English at Dawson County High School in Glendive, Montana, during the 1972-73 school year. She also worked in the Burlington Northern’s corporate headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on employee publications for almost two years.
Mary attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where she was an editor of the law review, and earned her law degree there in 1980. From 1980 to 1984, she worked for the State of Washington as an administrative law judge for the Office of Administrative Hearings.
While a law student, she met her future husband, Stephen R. McCue, a fellow student, and they were married on August 15, 1981, in Havre. They moved to Sunnyside, Washington, where their first child, Kevin, was born in 1983.
The family moved to Helena in 1984, where Mary was employed by the Legislative Council as a staff attorney. Mary and Steve were blessed with two more children, Caroline and Patrick. In 1990, she entered private practice, practicing primarily in the areas of administrative law and governmental relations. She became executive director of the Montana Dental Association in 2000, where she worked at the time of her death. She was inducted as an honorary member of the American Dental Association in 2010.
Mary has been an active member of St. Mary Catholic Community during her years in Helena, serving on the Pastoral Council, leading the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and teaching in the Religious Formation program. She also enjoyed volunteering frequently at her children’s schools. Her greatest joys were times spent with her family. She enjoyed reading and hiking. She was a volunteer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and taught NAMI’s Family-to-Family education program in recent years.
Mary’s parents, Lloyd and Rickie Kelly, predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, Stephen R. McCue, her three children, Kevin K. McCue, Caroline J. McCue, and Patrick S. McCue, all of Helena, her brother, Patrick A. Kelly (Denise) and his family, of Kalispell, Montana, her sister, Kathleen G. Kelly, of Laramie, Wyoming, her mother-in-law, Diane McCue Hollinger, her brothers-in-law, Robert P. McCue (Sydney), Gregory S. McCue (Robi), Peter T. McCue, and Michael R. McCue (Michelle), and their families, all of Missoula, Montana, and her sisters-in-law, Susan M. Kavon (Fred) of Plentywood, Montana, and Cathleen M. McGoldrick (David), of Belgrade, Montana, and their families. She is also survived by her aunt, Charlotte Ray, and cousins Jim Ray, Ed Ray, and Demrece Keller and their families, all of Big Sandy, Montana, and Sharon Hary of Havre, and her family.
Mary’s family thanks Dr. Thomas Weiner and the staff at St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Treatment Center for their skilled and compassionate care of Mary during her illness. The family asks that memorials be made to NAMI-Montana, 616 Helena Ave., Suite 218, Helena, MT 59601, or to St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Treatment Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
A Vigil will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Community in Helena. Please come and share your memories of Mary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011, at 12:10 p.m. with Rev. Bart Tolleson as celebrant. To send a condolence to the family or a memory of Mary, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Bill and Amy Nese Sr. says
To Steve and Family,
We only knew Mary a few short years however a friendship developed that sometimes takes ages. To hear of Mary’s Death on Resurrection Sunday ( Easter) was nothing less of Miraculous. The pain she went through and the Pain her Lord experienced surely points to an afterlife, a truly Easter happening.
I’ll leave you all with this quote: ” Let nothing so fill you with Pain and Sorrow so as to make you forget the Joy of the risen Lord”. Mother Teresa, MC, and that goes for Dear Mary also,
Peace, Bill and Amy Nese
pat kelly says
The Kelly family extends warm gratitude to all of you who remembered Mary during her final 16 months and her passing on Easter. The Thursday Vigil and Friday Funeral participation will forever bring warm smiles to our hearts. Mary’s spirit gives us memories that we shall cherish forever. Thank you, pat kelly
Jane Whirry Mues says
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Lynn’s illness and death; her life appears to have been full and blessed. Whole-hearted condolences are offered to her entire family. My brother, Burt Whirry, also died earlier this month. The childhood neighbors of Saddle Butte Dr. are having to endure their share of sorrow this past month. Fondly remembering old times in Havre/St.Judes.
Steve & Sheila Hall says
Steve & Family
We were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Please know you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Dick Clark says
Been a long time since I knew her as Pat’s older sister in Havre. When I started working the sessions, I got reaquainted and we would have the best times talking about the sessions and old times in Havre. I will miss her greetings and willings to just chat about things. God Bless
Sister Mary Jo Quinn says
Dear Steve and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s death. My prayers and sympathy are with all of you and I am filled with wonderful memories of her faithful presence, with all of you, at Saint Mary’s. May you be blessed with your own memories and the certainty of her continued presence with you in the days ahead. God bless you as you come to know her in her new life with the Risen Christ.
Love to all of you!
Sister Mary Jo
Kelly & Dulcy Hubbert says
I worked with Mary at the Legislative Council and she was a treasure. I have many fond memories of her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steve and the kids. Mary will be greatly missed by many!
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
We are so very sorry to learn of Mary’s passing. What a gracious, warm, caring lady she was. My association with Mary through NAMI was truly a gift. She took time to share and listen at a very dark time in our lives and we will never forget that care and concern. She will truly be missed by the entire McCue family and our community.
Bill Zepp says
Steve, kids, and families,
I knew this day would come, but not so soon. Pat and I thought so much of Mary. She was truly the nicest of the nice…and plenty smart to boot. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I was fortunate to spend with her over the past twenty odd years. She is missed deeply by many people across the country.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Dorothy McCarter says
To Steve and family,
Mike and I were so saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. She really was a special person, and a great lawyer. She will be very much missed in this community.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Mike and Dorothy
Rich and Rita Kuka says
My regards and prayers to all of you. I was shocked to see the obit, but it sure brings back warm memories of growing up in Havre and being close with the Kelly family. I, too, was able to re-connect with Mary Lynn when she was the lobbyist for my state counseling association a few years back. We sat in some meetings together and it was enjoyable to visit with her. God bless you in the loss of her!
SHERRI STAATS says
I have many fond memories of Mary when she came to my office at the State. She was always kind, gracious and had a smile for everyone. I was deeply saddened when I read of her passing this morning. I know as a devout Catholic she is resting with the Blessed Mother and her son Jesus. God Bless You Mary, you will be missed. My blessings and condolences to all of your family and friends.
Kat McKay says
Although I did not know Mary well, I am so saddened to learn of her passing. She was so sweet and kind. My memory is of her soft and compassionate voice – so dear! You all will remain in my thoughts through this difficult time. Sympathy and blessing are lifted on your behalf.
Dr. Kathleen O'Loughlin says
Dear McCue family:
On behalf of the American Dental Association (ADA), I offer you our deepest condolences on the loss of your dear loved one.
Mary was a dear colleague, mentor and friend to the member dentists, officers and staff of the ADA, the Montana Dental Association and the tripartite.
Mary’s accomplishments and dedicated service to dentistry leaves lasting value for Montana dentists and the tripartite. Mary’s endless love for her family, service to church and community and a steadfast commitment to helping others through her volunteer work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness have touched the lives of so many and has made this world a better place.
Again, on behalf of the ADA, please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss. May all of Mary’s joy, good works and love be with you, and yours, always.
Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, DMD, MPH
Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer
American Dental Association
Dennis & Jeanie Konopatzke says
Steve,Caroline and Patrick
I want to offer my sincere condolences for the passing of Mary. I grew up in Havre with Pat her brother and the Kelly family. Attending law school with Mary is when I really got to know her. I will always remember the fun I had teasing Mary at the Bulldog after class. She had a great sense of humor. Mary also had a great understanding of people and a sincere interst in other people’s welfare. I will miss Mary but I will treasure my memories of her. She was a very special person.
My best wishes to you in this very difficult time
Dennis
Robert p. McCue says
Steve, You and your family are in our prayers. God bless.
Kimmer says
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a wonderful person and I will miss her. I hope that the sadness of the moment will rapidly change to years of happy memories.
Connie Lane says
Dear Steve, Kevin, Caroline and Patrick,
It was such a privilege to know Mary. I always looked forward to seeing her and catching up at ADA meetings. Through our conversations I felt as though I had met all of you as well……she spoke so fondly of her family.
Mary was a delightful person. Humble, kind, insightful, considerate……the list goes on. It was remarkable to me that whenever I would send her a card and note during her illness to let her know she remained in my thoughts and prayers, she would in turn send me a thank you note! That says it all.
Just know we extend our sincere sympathy to you. We share in your sorrow and will greatly miss Mary’s presence…. but we celebrate her life and will always cherish our memories of her.
Take care.
Ann Hefenieder says
Mary was a good lawyer and a wonderful person.
She was a colleague her for several years at CSED, serving as an administrative law judge. She was a calming presence at a hearing where the persons involved were emotional.
I was sad to see her leave CSED, and am doubly sad to read of her death. My sincere condolences to her family.
Sue Weingartner says
Rest in Peace, Mary. We will miss you. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
Peter DuBois says
Mary and I were colleagues as state dental association executives for eight years. Her grace, wisdom and intelligence will be greatly missed by all of us in the dental community. I will miss Mary as a strong and courageous friend. My thanks to the McCue family for sharing Mary with us.
Jim Williamson says
I was so sorry to hear of Mary’s death – I knew she did not have a good prognosis months ago but I had not received much information lately on her condition. I would like to express my condolences to Mary’s family and close friends. I knew Mary as a colleague in the Dental Association field, and was always struck by Mary’s graciousness and sincerity.She was simply a very nice woman, who cared deeply about the work she did, her colleagues and most of all, her family. She will be missed. Thank you for sharing her with us – so many of us are better because of her. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim Williamson
Matt Kuntz says
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredible people over the years and Mary is up at the top of the list. I’m honored to call her a friend and mentor. I’ll always be awed by her combination of compassion and intelligence.
I don’t think it will take her long to start figuring out what she needs to do to help out in Heaven.
Matt
Susan Kavon says
Mary was the first of the “in-laws” that my siblings and I welcomed into the McCue family. She had a lot of class, good manners and always went above and beyond in her thoughtful ways. She set the bar very high for the rest of the “in-laws” to follow. We will always remember her with love and the joy that she brought to all of us, through her exemplary ways will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace, dear Mary and may perpetual light shine upon you!
Mary Beth Frideres says
We at the Montana Primary Care Association knew Mary well. We worked together on many projects to improve the dental health of Montanans. She was a wonderful woman. She was also an adovcate and friend to all people seeking access to dental care. We have great respect for her as a person and for her work. We will miss her very much.
Carol Smith says
Saddened to hear of this. I always knew Mary to be a warm and cheerful person. Since our daughters were friends in Middle School and up to the last time i saw her, she was just steady, friendly and smiling. I know she leaves a void – Blessings to the McCue family.
Vicki Nixon says
Mary will be missed by many. She was talented and well respected by her peers. Our condolences to her family and friends. Vicki Nixon, president of the Association of Component Society Executives of the ADA.
Steve McCue says
Dear Family and Friends,
Kevin, Carrie, Patrick and I, and all the McCues, are deeply thankful to all of you who have walked the journey with us during Mary’s illness, extended your sympathy, attended Mary’s services, and offered so many heartfelt tributes to her. You have made her loss easier to bear. She was courageous, loving, generous, wise, and funny. In Mary’s face I truly saw God’s love and mercy shining on me and our children. As her brother Pat says here, we will cherish our memories of her great spirit forever. What a sign of grace that she died to new life on Easter Sunday, the day of Resurrection!
Gratefully,
Steve McCue