Mary M. McDonnell, RN, 94, lifelong resident of Bellevue section of Scranton, passed away Friday evening in the Regional Hospital of Scranton after an illness.
Born November 3, 1927 in Scranton she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Lucy Ratchford McDonnell and was a graduate of the former St. Ann’s High School and the St. Mary’s School of Nursing where she became a Registered Nurse. Mary then began working at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre for 35 years and at the time of her retirement she was a surgical and intensive care registered nurse. A woman of deep faith, Mary was a devoted member of the St. Patrick’s Parish Community, West Scranton. Mary also loved to travel. She traveled the world and enjoyed seeing the various parts of the world she traveled to.
Mary will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Surviving are many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; friends.
She was preceded in death by her brothers John, Joseph and Jerome McDonnell and her sister Margaret Davis.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10am in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel Oram Street, West Scranton.
Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.
Joan Rees Shrenk
Mary was a Saint. She took care of her Mother for many years, and her sister
Margy, in her time of need. I remember her with love and affection for all my years in Scranton. Her sister Margy was one of my closest friends. Fondly, Joan Rees Shrenk.
Kathleen McHale Izak and Family
So Very Sorry to hear about Mary,
She was like a sister to my mother Kathleen and her late sister Jane Cadden. Mary and my mother {kathleen} who is mostly bedridden at this time spoke to Mary months ago and it was like yesterday. When i told my mom of Mary’s passing she cried and said Mary was always there for her. Mom had 9 children and while she was in hospital having a baby Mary was watching all the other Izak children. We all grew up knowing Cousin Mary was something special. We all, Izak children, Cadden children and Helen McGuire the other last living cousin of Mary’s on the Ratchford side of the family have been sharing our favorite stories over these past few days. Mary was full of personality, knowledge and petite and kind, adventurous, one of a kind, compassionate, and deeply religious. My moms most heart felt story was when moms mother Catherine Ratchford McHale became deathly ill, Aunt Lucy took mom and her sister Jane to live with them for a very long time while Catherine fought hard to recover. Mom and Jane shared a bedroom with Mary and her sister Margy hence the sister like connection they always had. Per mom’s words and in tears said ‘ I was fortunate to have Mary as a cousin and I will miss her. We all will…
Our Deepest Sympathy to all Mary’s Nieces, Nephews and Dear Friends Ann Marie and Eleanor
“While Alive , She Lived” Love to All