Mary Motherway

Mary C. Motherway, 102, of Hibbing passed away on May 21, 2021, at
Cornerstone Villa in Buhl. Mary was born December 24, 1918 to William and
Catherine Motherway.
Mary’s fierce independence and thirst for knowledge drove her to earn two
college degrees from the University of MN. During WWII, Mary moved to
Washington, D.C. to work for the F.B.I. She returned to Hibbing in 1950 and
opened the first secretarial service company in the Iron Range area. Mary then
taught high school for 5 years before moving on to the State of MN and
subsequently retiring from the University of Minnesota.
While young, Mary spent countless hours on the family farm where she
developed her love of nature. Throughout her life Mary studied history and read
literature. Until the age of 101, she rose each day to read the daily papers. In the
late 1940’s Mary purchased the family farm and cared for her land for the
remainder of her life.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; most beloved niece Connie Perpich,
sisters: Margaret Leino, Catherine Crothers, Rita Hanson, Corrine Laskey and
Therese Shanesy; brothers: William F., Joseph, Michael J., and James B.
Motherway. She is survived by her youngest brother Thomas P. Motherway of
Eagan, MN, brother-in-law Patrick Shanesy of St. Paul, and countless nieces and
nephews.
The Motherway family would like to thank the employees of Cornerstone Villa of
Buhl (especially LaVonne) and Fairview Hospice of Hibbing for their
compassionate care. A celebration of Mary’s life will take place later this summer.
Honorary pallbearers; Billy Motherway, Bobby Motherway and Tim Lillquist.

Services for Mary will occur Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Dougherty Funeral Home Hibbing.