Mary Elizabeth Healy
Mary Elizabeth Healy returned to her heavenly home April 26, 2016 peacefully in Renton, Washington after bravely battling heart failure. Her devotion to her family and firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.
Mary was born May 30, 1926 to Irish immigrants Michael and Margaret Creegan. She and her six siblings were born and raised in Renton, Washington.
Mary was a member of St. Anthony’s parish her entire life. She attended St. Anthony’s school and graduated from Renton High School. At the age of eighteen, Mary contracted polio. After overcoming the disease, she married Martin Healy and they lived in New Zealand for a year where they had no running water or any modern conveniences.
Mary lived a very active life. She and her sister Sadie opened up a bakery in downtown Renton, which they ran for a few years. During WWII, she aided in the war efforts by working at Boeing. Always a strong woman, she ran her own flooring business which allowed her to provide for herself and her six children. Mary even worked late into her senior years as a telemarketer. After retirement, she continued in the real estate market as a property owner. Her hard work and independence was truly an inspiration.
Mary had a very inquisitive mind and loved to use Google. She also loved gardening, home remodeling, and decorating. She remained very involved in the South King County Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Preceding Mary’s death was the loss of her two children, Shaun and Mary Anne. Mary is survived by her four children Dolores, Timothy, Maureen, and Martin; and her five grandchildren Megan, Molly, Cody, Colton, and Noah.
On Friday, May 6, 2016, Mary will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Renton, where the graves of her parents, and other beloved family members are marked and remembered. There will be a Mass at St. Anthony’s Parish in Renton at 11:00 a.m. with a procession to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Following the burial, starting at 5:00 p.m., there will be a Celebration of Life and Memorial dinner to be held at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue N., Renton, WA 98057. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the Polio Outreach of Washington, P.O. Box 1876, Kingston, WA 98346.
