Mary Catherine McNamara

Mary Catherine McNamara, known to everyone as Molly, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2023 at Good Samaritan hospital. Born on October 12, 1946 she was the oldest of four children to Elizabeth Jane Roulet and James Francis Mcnamara. She graduated from the University of Illinois and was a lifelong Illini basketball fan. She married her college love, Deane Nelson in 1968 and they had 3 children together.
Molly was a dynamo. She was a vivacious woman who was smart as a whip with a humor that would delight your soul. She knew no strangers. Everyone she met was a friend to be chatted with. Her magnetic charm could melt the coldest of hearts. And if you needed advice she would give it to you straight. Youmay not like it, but she was rarely ever wrong.
Molly was a creative powerhouse. there wasn't anything she couldn't make. She could sew, paint, draw, frame walls, renovate kitchens, tile bathrooms, and make styrofoam look like bricks, cement, or man eating plants. Creativeprojects were always better when Molly was involved. Molly’s last years were spent on her greatest labor of love - restoring Hartigan castle. Fixing that house back to its original glory was one of her favorite achievements.
Molly liked to think of heaven as a cocktail party where only the best people are invited. Meeting her for drinks will be her mother, Betty Roulet, her grandmother Mary Clark, her brothers Michael and Bill McNamara, and all her other favorites; Ruth Cox, Uncle Cal, Aunt Mimi, not to mention her beloved puppies Lulu, Charlie, and the Midget.
Molly leaves behind a grieving family; husband Deane Nelson, daughters Amy Conner ( husband David Conner) and Betsy Nelson, son Andrew Nelson, grandson Michael Conner and sister Betsy McNamara.
Molly was unapologetically Irish. No irish obituary would be complete without an irish blessing.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back May the sun shune warm upon your face The rains fall soft upon your fields
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
slan abhaile mathair

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