Mary Leigh Poole Balsano

Mary Leigh Poole Balsano

March 13, 1965 – March 7, 2024

Celebrating the life of Mary Leigh Poole-Balsano

Mary was born on March 13, 1965 at  March Airforce Base, in Riverside, California. She was the youngest of nine children born to Elizabeth Ann (Richardson) Poole, and George Thomas Poole. Mary grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She went to elementary school at  Blessed Sacrament and Roncalli High School. She became a massage therapist with Omaha Healing Arts Center. She worked at Wild Oats market and UNMC. In 1988, she married Rick Pruch. Dominick Ryne was born in 1993 and Rachel Nicole in 1996. She fiercely loved her children and enjoyed watching them become adults and was grateful for her long beautiful friendship with Rick. She and Michaela met in September 2013. In 2018 they officially tied the knot and became the Poole-Balsano’s. They had a beautiful love story and it was celebrated everyday.

She was fiercely loving, extraordinarily kind, a fabulous cook, and very funny. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was a sports fanatic, skilled softball player, much better than Michaela at golf, or so she said, and a die hard Cubs fan. She had a gravitational pull to her, she would bring you in with her immense knowledge and before you knew it she would be cooking you her famous curry chicken salad sandwiches and treating you like family. Mary had a zest for life, she was remarkably positive and never knew a stranger. Her kindness was legendary and care for others was something to aspire to. She was a fighter and took cancer by the horns. Even on her tough days she would still reach out to other people and check in on them. She was a marvelous Mamie and will be missed dearly by her grandkids. They loved that she allowed them to be just who they are with no judgment which is how she lived her life.

She joins her four brothers Thomas, John, Gary, and David and her mother, Betty. The care she and Michaela gave her mother at the end of her life was exceptional and truly showed their bond.

Our lives are richer for having her in them.

_____________________________________________________

VISITATION: Wednesday, March 13th from 2pm to 3pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by MEMORIAL SERVICE at 3pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.  To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.