Mary Eileen (Connolly) Eby
May 14, 1940 – May 3, 2024
VISITATION: Tuesday, May 7th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7 p.m. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, May 8th at 10:30 am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific.
Memorials in Mary’s name may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, the Food Bank of the Heartland, and Siena/Francis House.
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
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On May 3, 2024, in Omaha, Nebraska, after a short illness, Mary Eileen Eby passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by family, at the age of 83. Mary is survived by her three children, Marybeth Goddard (Tim), Molly Kasik, Meg Searl (Chris); nine grandchildren, Katie, Andrew, Allison (Alfredo), Michael, Lauren, Nick (Sydney), Ben (fiancé Mackenzie), Joe, Tom (special friend, Rhyse); five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Henry, Norah, Winnie, and Margot; brother-in-law, David Eby (Jan); sisters-in-law Donna Telatnik, Lynn Weaver (Bill), Susan Scott; nieces and nephews, including her very best pal, Billy Weaver; and many, many dear friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Geneva and John Connolly; sister, Grace, who died at birth; brothers, Tom and Ed; and her beloved husband and love of her life, Charles “Buzz” Notley Eby.
On May 14, 1940, Mary was born in Elk Point, South Dakota. When she was four years old, Mary’s family moved to Sioux City, Iowa. Mary graduated from Heelen High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Loretto Heights College, in Denver, Colorado, and a Master’s in Elementary School Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. It was while Mary was a student at Loretto Heights, that she met Buzz, a student at neighboring Regis College. The sparks flew and soon after graduation, Mary and Buzz were married on August 4, 1962, and built a rich life in Denver filled with family, many friends, (especially “The Discussion Group”), and festive celebrations including their annual Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July parties. Mary and Buzz were blessed with 36 wonderful years together until Buzz’s death in 1998. After Buzz’s death, Mary stayed in close contact with her Denver girlfriends and was able to reconnect with them every October during the “Annual Witches Tea,” hosted by her dear sister-in-law, Lynn Weaver.
Mary’s career as an educator spanned forty years, beginning as a second-grade teacher in the Denver Public Schools. Mary dedicated the next 30 years to St. Anne’s Episcopal School, also in Denver, where she served as the Math Lab teacher and Lower School Head. Mary retired from St. Anne’s in 2004, and was celebrated for selfless dedication to her students and nurturing guidance to her faculty. After retiring from St. Anne’s, Mary moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to be with her three daughters and their families. Soon after she settled in Omaha, Mary, not being one to sit idle too long, spent the next five years teaching at Sacred Heart School, a true gem of a school located in north Omaha. After retiring from Sacred Heart, Mary became a volunteer for the Assistance League of Omaha, where she was instrumental in the coordination of Operation School Bell. In 2014, Mary received the Assistant League’s Ada Edwards Laughlin Award, given to a volunteer who, after a number of years, has given outstanding “behind the scenes” service. Mary enjoyed participating in Bridge Club, Stock Club, “The Tacky Dinner Club” (no white tablecloths allowed!), cheering on Creighton Basketball, and was proud to serve as her neighborhood’s (The Enclave) property manager. The role Mary relished the most, however, was that of “Granmary” to her nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mary supported her brood in every way imaginable—from sewing on a button or fixing a zipper, to making sure tuition was taken care of, to providing never ending and unconditional encouragement and love. And, as a bonus, each July, for the past 20 years, Mary treated her entire family to a week at Spirit Lake in Okoboji, Iowa.
Above all else, Mary cherished her unwavering Catholic faith and complete trust in God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. Mary put her faith into action by praying daily for the deceased, the suffering, and the marginalized and serving others with great love, joy, and encouragement. It is Mary’s example of faith and service that will sustain her loved ones during this heartbreaking time.
“Come next spring!”– Buzz Eby
Special thanks to Mary Pat and Dick McCormick, the Enclave Board of Directors and Neighbors, Kathy Walz and Friends, Jean Mattern, and the Creighton Prep, Duchesne Academy, Lakeside Hospital, and Lady of Lourdes communities—your love and support has meant the world to us.
32 Comments
Mary was absolutely fabulous and I will miss her dearly. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved her as I know she will be missed greatly
I’m so very sorry and sad! Loved Mary so much. She was an absolute sweetheart and legend for her kindness and warmth. Holding all of you close to my heart and sending you love and 🥰 hugs.
Mu utmost respect for Mary. She was my other mom and I have so many memories. God bless hee and her precious daughters and grandchildren
Mary was like a mother to me. My utmost respect to her as a wife, mother and teacher. You will be missed
I absolutely loved Mary. I worked with her on making appointments for Operation School Bell and she made it such fun. Such a special lady. My deepest sympathy.
What sad, sad, news of my dear friend, Mary. She was such a joy to be with and laugh with. She and Buz were close friends of my husband, Jack and I and our whole family. Buz and Jack, Mary and I had a Christmas tree lot together on Colfax street in Denver where Mary and I ruined our hands making pine cone wreaths by the dozens. Her wonderful family, Marybeth, Meg and Molly were her pride and joy!
She and Buz were in our discussion group for over 20 years. She was a great cook and entertainer so many times in her beautiful garden in her backyard. She will be greatly missed and always loved. May she rest in peace with Buz for all eternity!
My deepest sympathy to you girls and your families.🙏
An admirable woman.❤️💐
Mary was a very special person Her death is heartbreaking to all who loved her My deepest sympathies and prayers to her family.
I became acquainted with Mary through Assistance League of Omaha. She was such kind, gentle, lady. No task was too large or too small for her. Mary had such a generous spirit. I am sure St. Peter is welcoming Mary with open arms. Rest in peace, Mary. You have done a wonderful job here on earth,
Mary’s friendship has “graced my life for many years & in many ways.. Her spirited fun attitude & large open heart have given me many enjoyable memories…
Mary’s friendship has graced my life in many ways & for many years. Her spirited fun attitude along with her large & open heart have left me with many enjoyable memories…
Mary was a very special person and a wonderful neighbor and friend.. I will miss her !!
Her death is heartbreaking to all who loved her My deepest sympathies and prayers to her family.
As kids we were taught the great commandments were to love God and to love our neighbor. Mary showed us every day of her life what that looks like. Now we are left with wonderful memories and she reaps her just reward. Rest in peace and joy, dear friend. You left us too soon but left us better for knowing you. May happy memories continue to console her family as they deal with the sudden loss of this dynamic woman.
RIP Mary Eby. You were an amazing educator and we were so lucky to have you as the Head of Lower School when my son Fletcher was a student at St. Anne’s (SAES). He was so scared of you that he did anything to avoid getting in trouble until he didn’t. It was first grade and he was so traumatized, he wrote about it in his college essays. Mary Eby was so respected and loved by the SAES community and she will also be remembered as the kindest and steadiest puller of teeth. You will be missed! Love and prayers for your family. The Kerr Family
Mary was a rock of good will and spirit at Saint Anne’s. We were blessed to have her be a part of our family.
May God comfort and guide you through this very difficult time of Mary’s passing.. Mary was such a wonderful person who always had a smile for everyone, I met her through Assistance League of Omaha. where she spent many hours on making registrations for Operation School Bell and helping out where needed… She will be missed by many people. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Mary’s family.
We and our daughter Lauren were blessed to know Mary at St. Anne’s Episcopal School. We loved and admired her.
Mary was a true leader and a great educator. She was lower school head when my daughter went to Saint Anne’s and also when I was a volunteer school nurse there. Mary was always so relevant and” right on “with her teaching,, attitude and leader ship. I am so happy to read that she went on to touch other students lives. Please accept my condolences for your mother and a wonderful lady.
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary was lower school head at Saint Anne’s when my daughter went there and when I was the volunteer school nurse. Mary was always relevant and “right on” when it came to her teaching, attitude and leader ship. I am so happy to read that she went on to touch other students lives. Please accept my condolences for your family for your wonderful mother, and a wonderful teacher.
My heartfelt condolences for her family and her bounty of friends. Always a welcoming smile, Mary’s tutelage gifted me when hired as a teacher at SAES; she saw in me God’s potential and knew exactly what to say in order for me to become a better man. My life is richer due to her grace, humility, and wisdom.
Mary was a true blessing to us and our daughters at St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Denver. I hope she is tickled to see from BOVE how much our girls benefitted from her math Skills as they now manage very large budgets for their respective companies. She will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Your mother was one of my all time favorite teachers, having learned to contend with me in 4th grad. What a wonderful human being.
Mary was an inspiration and a force of nature while I knew her as a teacher at St. Anne’s. Her leadership made us all better teachers and students while her grace made us better people. My condolences to her entire family.
Saddened to hear of her passing. Mary was pure joy to be around. So lucky to have had her in my life. She loved her family deeply and more than anything else. Rest in Peace.
Eby Clan. we’re thinking about all of you in Colorado! Your parents bring back so many memories of great times and laughter. It was always a great feeling to be around them. I hope you are all doing well, and I would love to see you guys sometime! Take Care.
Words can’t describe the loss we feel. We were lucky enough to have Mary visit many ,many times thru the years. She will be in our thoughts and prayers always.God speed,Pal
We will miss you so much! Have a great time in heaven with Buz❤️
Mary has always felt like a wise and wonderful sister to me. I was lucky enough to live with Mary and Buzz 55 years ago as a nanny to their three darling daughters and in that time was always treated as family. A higher-quality, more compassionate, and kinder woman, with a fantastic and wry sense of humor, I have never known. My heart goes out to Marybeth, Molly, and Meg.
Everyone in Denver loved Mary! I can’t count how many times I would meet someone and they would say are you related to Mary Eby and go on about how much she meant to someone from St Anne’s. Doesn’t surprise me at all Mary was a wonderful woman is so many ways. Buzz has that classic smile on his face being reunited with Mary.
At Saint Anne’s more than a couple of just-out-of-college teachers were hired within the same few years. Mary was our lower school head of school. She was a fine mentor and a second mother to each of us. She shared wisdom such as “to always be a straight shooter” with parents. During visits to PE, she would swing on the rope with the children. She gave me advice and life lessons from how to buy a house to the importance of giving grace to others. Funny thing, I always thought I was her “favorite.” After all, she called me every year on my birthday, even decades after her retirement. Come to find out recently, most of my co-workers of that special era were also called annually and thought they alone held the title of highest regard. Mary shared at her retirement ceremony that she received more from St. Anne’s than she ever gave as an educator. Ever so humble,.. Mary’s impact on me and the school community was one of the greatest gifts of my young adult life.
At Saint Anne’s, more than a couple of just-out-of-college teachers were hired within the same few years. Mary was our lower school head of school. She was a fine mentor and a second mother to each of us. She shared wisdom such as “to always be a straight shooter” with parents. During visits to PE, she would swing on the rope with the children. She gave me advice and life lessons from how to buy a house to the importance of giving grace to others. Funny thing, I always thought I was her “favorite.” After all, she called me every year on my birthday, even decades after her retirement. Come to find out recently, most of my co-workers of that special era were also called annually and thought they alone held the title of highest regard. Mary shared at her retirement ceremony that she received more from St. Anne’s than she ever gave as an educator. Ever so humble,.. Mary’s impact on me and the school community was one of the greatest gifts of my young adult life.
Mary Eby was the first person to interview me for an opening in the p.e. department at St. Anne’s 27 years ago. Her office was a tiny little room, no bigger than a closet, next to the main school office. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but she helped me realize what a special place St. Anne’s is, and how lucky I would be if I chose to work there. Boy, was she right! I appreciated her “tough love” approach in dealing with difficult students. I know there were hundreds of students across the years who had a tooth pulled by Mary. She was an incredible leader and she will be missed greatly. Prayers for her family and friends.
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