Mary Patricia Elliott

Mary Patricia Elliott, age 63, beloved daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, passed away suddenly on April 9, 2025. Mary was born the sixth child of Peggy and Bill Elliott on April 14, 1961, in Fergus Falls, MN. Six weeks later Bill moved the family to the Merriam Park neighborhood in St. Paul. Mary attended St Mark’s grade school and graduated from Derham Hall High School in 1979. She made lifelong friends in those 12 years, and the stories that they tell about her are priceless. Mary was a gifted athlete. From her early years as a star basketball and softball player at St Mark’s to her success at Derham Hall, she was a force to be reckoned with. She was mischievous, funny, and big hearted, and always ready for an adventure. Her smile would light up the room and you couldn’t help but be drawn to her. Mary spent a lifetime in the hospitality industry, beginning with her early teen years flipping hamburgers at the Burger Chef on Marshall Avenue to bartending at The Frontier on Jefferson Ave., and waiting tables at Champps on West 7th, eventually moving into managerial positions for restaurants in St. Paul, Charlotte, NC, Malibu and Long Beach, CA. Her dream came true when she was finally able to open her own restaurant, The Villa, in Albertville, MN. If you ever crossed paths with Mary, you never forgot her. She was beautiful, witty and charming. She was a tireless and demanding boss whose mission was to make every server, hostess, bartender, and line cook rise to a level of performance unmatched anywhere. And she would reward that effort with her love, support, and loyalty. Mary returned to MN nineteen years ago to be surrounded by her beautiful daughter, Katie, and her six granddaughters: Madelynn, Eva, Lily, Piper, Aubrey, and Willow. The many memories of their beloved grandmother include how she loved to play in the water, whether at the lake or in her little wading pool; grilling out; walking around the pond with one of the grandkids just to get out of the house, sitting on the couch and talking and really listening; playing “Charlie horse” and she would hit really hard! Mary taught them that family was everything and she said “I love you most” at the end of every phone call. She reminded them all the time that they were the reason she came back to MN. Mary’s love of animals rivalled her love of grandchildren. She rescued dogs and cats from the side of the road and behind dumpsters and gave them a new and safe life under her tender care. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Bill, brother, Tim, ex-husband, Bill Alvey, nephew, Jacob, and great niece, Cora. Besides her daughter and granddaughters, those left to mourn her loss are her mother, Peggy; siblings: Kathleen (Cliff), Teresa (Kenneth), Peggy Ann (Hines), Susan (Ned), Cynthia, Bridget, and Bill (Heidi); as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many Elliott and Randall cousins, and special lifelong friends: Cindy, Betsy, Maureen, Jane, Tricia, and Theresa. Mary’s warmth, wisdom and spirit will live on through all the lives that she touched. We will miss her every day.

Visitation Tuesday, April 15, from 4-7:30 at O’Halloran and Murphy, St Paul location.

Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 16, at 10;00 AM, preceded by the Rosary at 9:30 AM, at the Church of St Mark., 2001 Dayton Ave., St Paul, MN. Reception to follow in Carolyn Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite animal rescue organization in honor of Mary.