Date of Birth:
Saturday, January 10, 1948
Date of Death:
Monday, October 3, 2016
Age:
68 years old

Mary Kathleen Week

Mary K. Week, 68, of Rochester, known to many as an angel on earth, beloved wife, mom, grandma, and dear friend to many, passed peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by her family, on Monday October 3rd.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband and best friend Loren, their adoring sons; Greg(Shelly), Mike(Anne), Tom(Kendra), and Joe(Molly), all from the Rochester area, 9 grandchildren (her favorite people in the world) – Jason, TJ, Haley, Mandy, Ally, Brandon, Ryan, Sam and Max, and her loving dog, Maggie.  Mary is also survived by her brother, Mike(Ginny) Lipscomb of Wabasha, MN and her sister Judy(Jim) Kubiatowicz of Providence, RI, as well as several beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her loving parents Curtis and Elaine Lipscomb.

Mary was born on January 10, 1948 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.  Part of a devout Catholic family, Mary attended St. Pius Catholic Church and School and graduated from Lourdes High School, where she played the saxophone in the band.  She met Loren while working together at the Piggly Wiggly during high school.  The two sweethearts and best friends married on January 11, 1969 and were inseparable from then on.  She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing and soon worked as a nurse.  She later became a homemaker and then a daycare provider.  After her boys grew up, she returned to work as a very popular grocery store cashier, and later the children’s program coordinator at the Rochester Women’s Shelter.  She loved to help and be with people.

Mary loved to travel, especially to warm weather destinations like the Caribbean or family vacations in the summer.  She was also known to push a few slot machine buttons and play some bingo, whether here in the Midwest or on her travels.  She loved life and so many things in it, including; reading, baking and cooking (she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies, her secret recipe Sloppy Joes and her Calico Beans), sitting on her deck by the pool and talking on the phone, going dancing with Loren, listening to country music, bowling, everything the color of purple, and believe it or not, she loved to do laundry.

Mary’s passion, however, was her family.  She built a wonderful and strong family.  Mary delighted in getting her boys and their families together.  She loved to watch her sons play sports, and then watch her grandchildren in all of their activities, especially bowling, and watching them swim in the backyard pool.

The family invites friends and loved ones to a visitation on Friday, October 7th from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, and to a Funeral Service on Saturday, October 8th at 10:30AM with a viewing to begin an hour prior.  Both visitation and service will be held in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St SE, Rochester, MN.

Mary taught us all what was important in life, and it’s not what you have that makes your life worth more, it’s the effect you can have on other people to make their lives better.  Her motto, which was borrowed from a popular brand, has been passed on to her family who are passing it on to you… Life is good, do what you love and love what you do!