Mary Cahill

Mary Kay was born on March 20, 1946, in Chicago, daughter to her late parents John and Anne (Kwietkowsky) Rice. She graduated from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange, Ill., and became a registered nurse after attending St. Anne’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, graduating in 1967. Mary Kay married Michael Cahill Sr. in 1968, and they moved to Kingsford in 1971. She and Michael were married for 37 years. They became active members of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church and proud Flivvers fans.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her siblings, Ruthann, Barbara, Tom, Gloria, and Rosemary. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy (Josef); brother-in-law Mike; and many adored cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She will live on through the stories and “Mosh-isms” told by her four children: Michael Jr. (Mary Beth) Cahill, Sara (Dan) Weiskopf, John (Patty) Cahill, and Maria (Michael) Hoisington. She was grandmother, or “Mosh,” to 23 grandchildren and was so proud of Marin (Max) Renard, Michael III (Messina) Cahill, Cregan, Katherine, Thomas, Grace, Keira, and Luke Cahill; Lucy, Daniel, Gemma, and John Weiskopf; Stella, Jane, Bridget, Caroline, and Nora Cahill; and Zacharius, Gabriel, Arabella, Blaise, Juliet, and Xavier Hoisington. She was great-grandmother to Amelia and Eloise Renard and Michael J Cahill IV. Being a nurse, mother, and grandmother were her greatest joys.

Her nursing career took her in many directions over the years. One thing was sure, she was meant to be a nurse. Caring for others was second nature for her, and her bond with her nursing school friends from St. Anne’s lasted a lifetime.

Mary Kay loved her Catholic faith. Many years were spent actively involved in Cursillo and Youth Encounter. The Carmelite Monastery was very special to her. She was a member of the Secular Carmelites of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain. For years, she made and gave out rosaries to everyone she met, always claiming Mary as her “boss.”

In her final years, she moved to Genoa City, but her heart truly belonged in the Iron Mountain/Kingsford community. She found lifelong friends there who became like family. She had her village. Her children will be forever grateful to so many cherished friends whom she loved so very much.

The family would like to thank the caregivers from Burr Oak Manor and the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home staff for their assistance and kindness.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave., followed by a tribute from the U.P. Nurses Honor Guard. The funeral Mass will follow at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church, 411 W. B St., on Wednesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m., with Father Matthew Zuberbueler officiating. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Mary Cahill online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.