Mary Kathryn Edgerton

Mary Kathryn O'Connell (73) passed away at her home in Aurora, Colorado.

Born on 28th October 1945 to Mary Ethel (McIlhon) O'Connell and James O'Connell in Des Monies, IA, the oldest of 9 siblings, Mary was known for her spunky personality, her spaghetti and meatballs, and her ability to find a close parking spot. A voracious reader, she also loved traveling, vacationing in Aruba with her husband (Don), and spending time lounging at the pool; passionate in her politics, Mary encouraged everyone to vote for the women, and would call the White House weekly to express her contempt for the current occupant.

Her siblings remember Mary as being ""quick witted, extremely funny, and always game for a good prank–whether on the giving or the receiving end of it"". Wicked smart and a gifted singer, beginning her freshman year of high school at St. Joseph's Academy, Mary starred in all of her high school musicals and earned a scholarship to attend Drake University, but gave that up to raise her two young children. Mary earned an RN degree and she earned a master's degree in chemical dependency from University of Northern Colorado and worked as the lead nurse; she first worked as a hospital nurse, and later, as the lead nurse and addiction counselor at a methadone maintenance program in the Denver area. Upon retirement from those duties, she worked for CARF International as a program evaluator, traveling throughout the US, evaluating various opioid treatment programs.

In 1973, Mary married Don, the love of her life. Throughout their 40 years of marriage (that included many tricks, pranks, and teasing each other, of course), Mary and Don enjoyed raising their three children at their home in Alliance, Nebraska, along with their St. Bernard puppy, Heidi. Her children remember her most for her genuine love and concern for them; her willingness to help in any crisis; and especially her last minute road trips jamming out to tunes to Carly Simon and Neil Diamond. The couple moved to Denver in 1991, and resided at their home in Aurora into their retirement.

True to her Irish nature, nothing would ever stop Mary. She was fiercely determined, passionate, strong-willed, and full of information. Her grandchildren remember her best for her counseling services, outings to the zoo and the art museum, and the best place to take a nap.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ethel (McIlhon) O’Connell, her father, James O’Connell, and her brothers, Michael O’Connell, Thomas O’Connell, and John O’Connell. She is survived by her three children: Susan Wong (husband Christopher) of Claremore, OK, Rebecca Ederveen of Parker, CO, and Kellie Klus of Littleton, CO, as well as her remaining 5 siblings James O’Connell of Seattle, WA, Daniel O’Connell of Oceanside, CA, Patti Koreyasu of Seattle, WA, Kevin O’Connell of Des Moines, IA, and Joseph O’Connell of Vista, CA; and 8 grandchildren: Kayla Ederveen of Loveland, CO, Britany Ederveen of Parker, CO, Christiane Klick (husband Logan) of Kiowa, CO, Cameron Ederveen of Parker, Colorado, Jordan Wong of Portland, OR, Cadence Wong of Portland, OR, Braeden Klus of Littleton, CO, and Peyton Klus of Littleton, CO.

""We are all travelling on a cosmic journey–stardust–swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of the universe. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share–and we journey on"".

We are so thankful to have borrowed Mary for the short time she shared with us on earth. Mary would tell everyone who knew her to look up at the stars tonight, and see her twinkling in the stardust, now free of her earthly pain and suffering.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s honor to:

www.needtoimpeach.com