Remembering Mary
Mary Therese McGinn was born on January 2, 1943 at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her twin sister, Elizabeth, was born nine minutes later. Proud parents were Cecilia Casey McGinn and John Patrick McGinn. Mary died peacefully at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul after a long and difficult struggle with cancer. She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, relatives and dear friends on January 5, 2022. She is survived by her sisters Elizabeth McGinn and Monica McGinn Campbell (Jim) and their children, John Campbell (Kelly) and Amy Campbell Muckala (Dan). Mary has two great-nieces, Katherine Campbell and Meghan Muckala and two great-nephews, John (Jack) Muckala and James Campbell.
Mary’s five priorities in life were:
God
Family and Friends
Teaching
Traveling
Life Long Learning
She receives an A+ in achieving these priorities!
Mary graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School. She received a BA degree in English and French from St. Catherine University. She earned her MA degree from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. As a lifelong learner, she took many classes through the University of Maryland as a Department of Defense teacher.
Mary taught a total of 49 years. Immediately after graduating from St. Catherine University, she taught at Ramsey Junior High in South Minneapolis. Two years later she joined the Department of Defense Overseas Program. She had wonderful and exciting teaching opportunities in Okinawa, Turkey, Italy, Germany and Belgium. A gifted linguist, Mary spoke and wrote in four languages – English, French, Italian and German.
Mary enjoyed traveling all over Europe visiting 47 different counties. She especially loved going to Paris by train on a monthly basis. She knew Paris as well as she knew her hometown St. Paul. She relished visiting churches, museums, antique shops, outside cafes and art exhibits. Enthusiastically, she attended the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Mary cherished receiving a perfect attendance certificate for attending the festival for 25 straight years.
Mary ran the good race on earth and was ready for her heavenly journey. Her favorite Saint, St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower), and our Blessed Mother will greet her and each take her by the hand leading her into heaven.
The McGinn family would like to thank all of her relatives, friends, doctors, nurses, caregivers and Our Lady of Peace Hospice for their compassionate care, kindness and support on her final and most important journey.
Preceded in death by parents, John Patrick and Cecilia Casey McGinn. Survived by twin sister, Elizabeth McGinn; sister, Monica McGinn (Jim) Campbell; niece, Amy (Dan) Muckala; nephew, John (Kelly) Campbell; great-nieces, Katherine Campbell and Meghan Muckala; great-nephews, John Patrick “Jack” Muckala and James Campbell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 14 at 11AM, at St. Thomas More, 1079 Summit Ave, St. Paul. A visitation will begin one hour prior. Mary’s Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed here. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice Home.
Mary, we will miss you. Go in Peace.