Marlene F. Towey
Wednesday, January 26, 1944
Date of Death:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Age:
74 years old
Wednesday, January 26, 1944
Date of Death:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Age:
74 years old
Wednesday, January 26, 1944
Date of Death:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Age:
74 years old
Marlene F. Towey
Mrs. Towey, 74, of Rochester, MN, died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at her residence after a courageous battle with cancer. Marlene was born January 26, 1944 in Rochester, MN to Francis and Phoebe (McConnell) O’Connell.
She graduated from Lourdes High School in 1962. On April 1, 1967, she married Jerome A. Towey at St. Bridget’s Church in Simpson, MN. The couple was stationed with the Navy in Pensacola, FL, Norfolk, VA, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; before settling in Rochester in 1978. She worked as a cook and custodian in the Rochester School District. Marlene volunteered at the Dorothy Day House.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Towey; son, Jerome Towey of Rochester; 3 daughters, Wanda (Mike) Nienow, Sarah (Tracy Culp) Towey, and Phoebe Towey, all of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Grace (Steven) Rysted, Caity Nienow, Miranda Towey, Donovan Towey, and Victoria Nienow; sisters Theresa Helgerson of Rochester, Phoebe Whistler of Mesa, AZ, and brother Charles O’Connell, of Boulder City, NV. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son James (Jim) Towey; sisters, Mary Bischoff, Sister Conal O’Connell, Elaine Stokes, Catherine Fitzgerald, Rosella Jech, and Alice Fuhrmeister; brothers Walter, John, Nickolas, Clarence, Richard, and Edward O’Connell.
Marlene had strong faith and values, enjoyed volunteering, baking special treats for her family (especially cinnamon rolls and coffee cake), having coffee with her sisters, and spending time with her family.
Marlene’s memorial Mass will be at 11:00am on Friday May 25, 2018 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church with Father John Wilmot officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her service at the church on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day House, Season’s Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
Condolences
The family of Marlene F. Towey has received the following condolences.
Jerry and family,
It seems we go back a ways as far as your parents, Art and Helen Towey of St. Francis, KC members and taxes. It was good to know them and later Marlene and you. She was a wonderful person that seemed to always put others first, Also knew some of Marlene,s family , Theresa, Elaine and Etc. MY SINCERE SYMPATHY IN YOUR DEEP LOSS. perhaps you are aware Art passed April 1, so still very close for me. God's blessings on you and your family as they help you through. Helen M Mueller and family
Wanda and Jerome, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I did not see the post on facebook, so this is the first I am seeing it. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
So sorry to hear of your wife's passing. We are unable to attend her funeral as we are in Baltimore. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
Bob & Betty Ronningen
Marlene will be missed by so many people! She was such a strong woman and gave so much to her family and community! She was there for all of us! I don't know how we would have managed without her help when mom was sick. Love, Rita
Marlene was a wonderful woman. I am sure she is quite comfortable in heaven in a mansion filled with all her loving friends and relatives who have gone before her. Prayers and love to the family and all who loved her as you deal with this tremendous loss.
I am scrambling to find the words to explain all that Marlene was - there just are no words. Her heart was tender, her determination was mighty, her love was grand, her inspiration was awe-inspiring. She scoffed at the very thought that her doctors told her "you will never see Spring". She saw Spring, she saw new life, new marriage, huge changes, a family that united in a manner so wondrous to all.
Although I hold a million childhood memories, the most recent memories will forever grace my mind. As sick as my mother was, Marlene put her pain and agony away and pushed and shoved and inspired and literally traded her sickness to help my mom recover from hers. I am not sure my mom would have without Marlene cracking the whip. We are forever grateful for this amazing woman and thank God for the chance to share our lives with her. To all that have gone before her, behold your Angel is on her jouney home.
There just truly are no words....
Love to all,
Terri
Dear Towey Family,
This is definitely sad news for those of us who knew and love Marlene. There are so many things that one can say about a person like her. She is one of my favorite people I have ever known in my life. She taught us so well how to handle life's greatest moments as well as some of it's worst and did it all with such class. I have been loved, hugged, accepted, taught, counseled and even scolded a time or two by her. (of course this usually included help from cousins Jerome, Jimmy, Wanda and Art). Sorry Art just had to include you. I have great memories of when Marlene and Jerry's family as well as Uncle Tim's family would come home on leave and us cousins would get to reconnect. Family was always a priority to Marlene and that meant all of us kids were like her own and treated as such. All of the family is in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Tom Ulwelling and Family