Mary Frances Kearney

Mary Frances Kearney (Lynch) was born in Limerick, Ireland on September 8, 1929 to Patrick and Margaret (Rose) Lynch. She was the first of two girls born to Pat and Rose. She graduated from The Salesians Fernbank School in Limerick. She worked at Cannock’s of Limerick and volunteered with the Red Cross of Ireland. Mary loved to play the piano, go to local dances, and perform in plays in Limerick.

Mary Lynch met Niall Kearney in Limerick, and were married at St. Joseph’s church on September 11, 1952. They continued to live in Limerick for a number of years, but decided to emigrate to Los Angeles, California in 1957.  They were married for nearly 22 years when Niall passed away in 1974 from lung cancer at the age of 44. She was a housewife during most of her marriage, but as a young widow with 5 children, she worked at Robinson’s Department store to support her family. Mary strove to maintain her household, and raise and educate the children in such a way as to maintain the same lifestyle prior to the loss of their father.

Mary and Niall had 5 children, with Barbara and Vivien born in Ireland, and Rosemary, Jennifer and Niall being born in Los Angeles. Growing up, all her children had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Ireland on numerous occasions, and she instilled in them a great love for her homeland. When all her children were grown and on their own, Mary moved back to Ireland in 1984. She lived there for a number of years until she moved back to be with her children and grandchildren.

Mary spent the last 10 years in Sun City, joining St. Vincent’s parish. Until she became a home-bound communicant, she dearly loved Sunday mass, the prayer group she participated in, and VIP (Visually Impaired) group meetings. She was especially inspired by Msgr. Kirk.

Mary is survived by her 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

I will arise and go now, And go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, Of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, A hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, For peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning To where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, And noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings

I will arise and go now, For always night and day
I hear lake water lapping With low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway Or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.” 
― W.B. Yeats

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