Mary Mulherin

Mary Mulherin, 96, of Mount Vernon, died on Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Rev. John R. Flaherty and Deacon Dennis Mulherin (cousin of Mary). Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Survivors include her sister, Elaine Mulherin of Upland California; niece, Sharon (Thomas) Fladoos Smallwood of California; nephew, Jerry (Linda) Fladoos of Washougal, Washington; niece, Abby Fladoos, of Bend, Oregon; and great nephews, Jason and Ian Fladoos. Mary was born April 7, 1919, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Jerome and Mary (Colgan) Mulherin. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1938. As a young adult, Mary began working at Belden Manufacturing in Chicago eventually settling at Collins Radio for 29 years, retiring in 1984. She enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling, celebrating her 90th year traveling with her sister, Elaine to Italy, visiting Rome and attending a public audience with Pope Benedict who passed only a few feet away as he blessed each person. Mary loved spending time with children, avidly cheered for the Hawkeyes, and will be remembered as a great housekeeper who took great pride in her yard. Mary also enjoyed cooking and baking, always sharing food with her friends and neighbors. Her kindness and generosity will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Rosalie (Arnold) Fladoos; and niece, Jacqueline Peters.