Marilyn J. Mailliard
May 26, 1943 – December 29, 2024
Marilyn Mailliard, 81, passed peacefully on December 29, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Born on May 26, 1943, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Thomas Murphy and Helen Hartung, Marilyn’s early life was shaped by love and resilience. After Helen’s untimely passing, Thomas married Lilas Frank and died shortly thereafter. Lilas, affectionately known as “Feen,” raised Marilyn and her brother, Jim, as her own.
While attending Creighton University, Marilyn met Ralph “Dennis” Mailliard and together they built a life filled with joy and purpose, centered on family, friends, school and sports.
Teaching was Marilyn’s true calling. She was devoted to her students, first at Holy Name and later St. Pius X / St. Leo School, often expressing gratitude for a career she loved each and every day. Her experience in the classroom extended to the home, ensuring her own children couldn’t get away with anything.
She was a beloved fixture in the community and volunteered countless hours with Dennis to support St. Margaret Mary sports—holding court at the best concession stand in the diocese.
Marilyn explored more than 40 countries but was most at home inside the pages of a good book. She hosted lively games of bridge with friends and fierce competitions of Uno with her grandkids.
Known for her wit and wisdom, Marilyn could speak volumes with a look. She was a devoted friend and a source of unwavering love and support to her family.
Marilyn’s legacy lives on through her children: Donald (Linda), Dawn Drazdys (Don), and Daniel (David); grandchildren: Andrew Drazdys (Laura), Maddi, Hannah Popp (Matt), and Erik; brother, Jim; and her nephews.
She will be forever missed, always remembered, and often misquoted by her family.
VISITATION: Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 3:00-5:00PM at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 6116 Dodge Street, Omaha, followed by a VIGIL SERVICE at 5:00PM.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, January 13, 2025, 10:30AM at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT: Resurrection Cemetery
Memorials are suggested to St. Margaret Mary School, St. Pius X / St. Leo School, or The Servants of Mary.
To view live broadcasts of the services, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
20 Comments
Our deepest sympathy to your family for your loss. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
We send our heartfelt love and condolences. Marilyn was a special, amazing, beautiful person. We are glad she was surrounded by the love of her family and we are thinking of all of you.
So grateful for every delightful moment we shared with Marilyn, a gem like no other. Love, laughter, and perfection. We will be with you soon.
Thinking of you and your family
What a gem and mentor! Marilyn and I job shared in 8th grade. She will definitely be missed. Rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved teaching with Marilyn at SPSL. She was such a great human. I will forever remember her special brand of humor.
Peace,
Paula
Marilyn or “Mrs. Maillard “ was my 7th grade Math teacher at Holy Name. I enjoyed her company many years through life as my husband Mike coached with Denny! We ran into each other often at the beauty salon etc. she had a beaming personality and always wanted the update on our kids! Now that you are in heaven , I hope that you will find Bobby Sherman and let him know how much we loved him. “We love Bobby Sherman! “. You were the best, Mrs. Maillard!
I am sorry for your lose. So happy I got to know Marilyn for the last couple of years. I was lucky to be able to play bridge with her on several times over the years. Marilyn will be missed. May she rest in peace.
I’m sorry for your loss Dawn. Your family is in my prayers. May she rest in peace .
Mrs. Mailliard taught me at Holy Name in the 7th grade. She was always smiling, always encouraging, and a terrific teacher. She was well loved and made a difference for her students!
Mrs. Mailliard was my 5th Grade teacher at St. Agnes Catholic Grade School in South Omaha. She was the best of the best! She was pregnant with her 2nd child and despite our large class, she kept up with us all! We even did a musical play about “The Unicorn”. We made all the animal heads out of paper mache in the classroom. It’s something I will never forget. Know she’s touched many students in her lifetime and left impressions on our hearts. Rest in Heaven, Mrs. Mailliard with your husband and other loved ones. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
I remember Mrs. Mailliard so clearly during her time at St. Agnes School in South Omaha during the 60’s. She was everyone’s favorite and I’d like to say she probably had an influence on my decision to become an educator. She also taught one of my older sisters in half of 4th and 5th grade plus many other lucky children in the 5th grade at St. Agnes. May her family find comfort in the many memories they have as are all her former students. God bless.
Steven and I send all our love to Daniel, Dawn, Donald and grandchildren. We are so honored to have met Marilyn on a joyous weekend of love. The bond between the Mailliard Family is very special. xo
Mrs. Milliard was my 8th grade teacher at Holy Name Catholic School. I knew at the time she was something special, but I didn’t have the maturity to realize until my college years at Creighton that she was one of my favorite teachers of all time. She was smart, funny, and taught me a lot about life. She lived a few houses down from me in those days, on 49th Street in a big white house. I lived on 49th and Pratt Street. She would invite me and a couple of the other girls over for Kool-Aid and cookies. Those talks mean so much to me now. She took the time to talk to us about boys, and parents, and what high school to go to. I did some house cleaning for her and I also babysat her kids. There were three at the time and the youngest was just a baby. I have a warm place in my heart for this very kind and gentle mentor. Thank you Mrs.Mailliard and may you take your rightful place among the angels in heaven.🩷 Beth Jahn Cerra
Please accept our sincere sympathy for the loss of your lovely mother and grandmother. She was always a pleasant voice of wit and wisdom. We know she will be greatly missed.
Mrs.Mailliard was my 7th and 8th grade teacher at Holy Name. During that time, our school and St Margaret Mary were bitter rivals on the basketball court. Myself, along with Jay Ramsey and Gary Washington used to be told by her that if we beat her husbands team that we would fail her class. This was of course all out of fun. We not only became close to Mrs Mailliard, but we also became very close to many of the players from St Margaret Mary. These are times that I will cherish forever. I am sure of 1 thing that I learned from her was to believe in yourself, have fun in life and always treat others with respect. She is someone that has touched my life in a way she will never know. She will be missed but her legacy will live on forever.
May she rest in peace!
so many wonderful memories of the parties they threw and the crazy games she created for us such as scavenger hunts that led us all over city’s far as Anchor Inn by airport, to Dr Sketch”s house for a stethoscope. so much fun!! and their dear children!! still have a n ornament Danial gave to my girls!! so sweet
love and prayers to all of you. Mike will be at funeral and I am there in spirit!!
I learned so much from Marilyn in the years we taught at SPSL. I never quite inherited her fashion sense, but we had many laughs together, especially during the pool days of summer. Her kindness, generosity and constant support of Dennis and her family has inspired me! Well done good and faithful servant, your reward will be great in heaven!
My deepest condolences to the family. I pray that it gives you comfort knowing that Marilyn impacted so many lives with her love and grace! As a former student I mourn with you and will cherish my fond memories of her. ♥️
My deepest condolences.
When in 8th grade, about 47 years ago, my Mom told Mrs Mailliard I was a late bloomer(on spectrum) because poor spelling, weak work, ECT … but what bugged her most was I kept saying her name with an “s” on the end. About 14 years ago bumped into her at volleyball, she was collecting entry fees. She asked/told me about late blooming. I assumed she mixed me up with someone else or brother or something. She made it very clear it was me.
Looking back I realize what a great teacher she was. She never condescended, always pushed for excellence, approached every student individually. We chuckled that day. Told her I bloomed, but wasn’t sure I fully bloomed.
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