Mary Catherine (Gallagher) Nilsson

Mary Catherine (nee Gallagher) Nilsson

Age 85, of St. Paul, MN (originally Lakeville) passed away May 12, 2023. 

Nilsson, Mary C. Surrounded by family and faith, Mary Catherine Gallagher Nilsson died May 12, 2023 at age 85 following a brief battle with cancer. Mary was married to Arthur Nilsson for 49 years before his death in 2014. She is survived by children, Monica Nilsson, Jim (Stacey) Nilsson, Steve (Julie) Nilsson, Camille Nilsson and Dan Nilsson; grandchildren, Tyler, Abby, Connor, Grace, Sam and Lucy Nilsson; siblings, John Gallagher, Liz Kane, Kay (Jerry) Oxborough; sisters-in-law, Rita Gallagher, Cecilia Hetznecker and Joanne Nilsson; godchildren, Michael Kane and Colleen Gallagher; special cousin, Mary Shea Egan and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, baby sister, brother, Joe Gallagher; in-laws, Mary Gallagher, Norbert and Marie Nilsson, Lawrence Nilsson, Annabel Scrivener, Joe and Bernice Dervie, James Nilsson, Helen and Marvin Hamann, Francis Meng, Frank Hetznecker, and special cousin, Eileen Muelken. Mary was born in St. Paul, MN on June 3, 1937. After the loss of a baby sister, Mary's parents, Bertram and Catherine Slater Gallagher were blessed to have her older brother John, then Mary, delivered at St. Joseph's Hospital. Mary's birth was followed by sister Liz, brother Joe and sister Kay. Mary made many friends growing up in Lakeville, some remained until the end of her life. She attended College of St. Benedict before chasing her desire to travel. She worked for Northwest Airlines for 10 years, fulfilling her dream to see the world. Mary left that dream to start another, as a wife and mother, marrying the love of her life, Art. They shared a devoted relationship focused on their faith, each other and their children. Many sacrifices were made for their family. They enjoyed spending time over many summers at their cabin in northern Minnesota. When the children were older, Mary pursued another love, spending more time in the Catholic Church, and worked for 25 years as an Administrator at St. Therese and Lumen Christi parishes in St. Paul. For decades, Mary and her siblings welcomed relatives, and anyone who attended, to be Irish for at least a day and march in the St. Patrick's Day parade. As Mary aged, it was her immersive curiosity for the next great experience, love of grandkids, dear friends, 1940s music, cards, flowers and prayer that sustained her. Visitation for Mary will be held at O'Halloran and Murphy funeral home, 575 Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, MN from 4-8pm on Friday, June 2, 2023, with a brief prayer service at 4PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2055 Bohland Avenue in St. Paul, MN at 11am, with visitation 10-11am at Church on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday June 6th, 2023, 11:30am. O'Halloran and Murphy 651-698-0796

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