Mary "Mollie" Margaret Cleary

Mollie Cleary (Mary Margaret McCormick) was born in Spokane to Bernard and Lila (Barry) McCormick but soon moved to Tacoma. She grew up in the Holy Rosary parish with her “large
family”, including her one sister Jimmie and multiple cousins, Aunts, Uncles and grandparents within a block of her home.

She met her husband, Patrick Gordon Cleary, the youngest of seven, at Cardinal Club. When they were married in 1954, Pat was stationed in the Army in Alaska and upon their return a year
later they surprised everyone with a new baby! Mollie promised Pat she would have as many kids as he wanted in ten years, and they had eight, joining the other 33 grandchildren of Alice
and Leslie T. Cleary. Mollie and Pat were a great team building their lives and enjoyed taking vacations together with and without the kids.

Mollie acted upon her strong Catholic faith by volunteering countless hours for Catholic Community Services, St. Patrick School and Church and Bellarmine Prep. She received the De Thomas Memorial Award and the Bellarmine Booster of the Year Award. Once all the kids were in school she made a career with Bellarmine and was proud to serve the students, faculty and staff. She loved making connections with different generations of families and said the students kept her young.

Reflecting on her 91 years, nurturing was a fulltime job. She reached out to others with her motto “there is always room for one more”, and loved to be Auntie Mollie to all. She could make a meal stretch to feed any additional friends brought home. Each year she made us feel special with a homemade birthday cake of our choice! She could orchestrate a large holiday meal like no other, leaving us with tasty recipes and traditions to continue to build memories with our families. In 2017 she started a St. Patrick's day reunion tradition at a hotel for all the kids and grandkids to gather and connect.

Mom actively made family the center. Imagine piling 8 kids into one car for a week at the beach, camping, traveling to Portland, even getting to church on time. After saying a prayer to St. Christopher we would pass the time by singing our favorite songs together. Mom's favorite was You Are My Sunshine.

She loved reading and enjoyed sharing that love, reading to her children and grandchildren. She loved crocheting, embroidery and sewing and made numerous dresses, blankets, baby clothes
and matching aprons. Mom encouraged her daughters to wear matching clothes since they were young.

Eventually she became the last of her generation on both sides. Her last two years included a new family at Avian AFH with caring people and frequent visits from families and friends.

Mom always would say goodbye with hugs and kisses, Xoxoxo. Surrounded by family on April 15th she went to heaven to join her husband Pat, her parents, sister Jimmie, grandson Roman
and so many beloved relatives and friends. She is survived by children Pat Jr. (Dana), Peggy (Kyle), Tim, Katie (Tom), Ellen (Randy), Dennis (Sarah), Colleen (Fred), Maureen (Steve),
grandchildren: Fiona, Mel, Peter Rabbit (Brittney), Tamara (Eric), Ryan (Jenny), Milo, Natalia, Julian, Alice, Aurora, Patrick, Jake (Kylie), Josh, Reggie (Natalie), Mickey and great grandkids
Jamison, Karson, Zivah, and Bobbi, as well as treasured members of the McCormick, Barry, Taylor, Centen, Burkey, Scott, Norling, Browne, Cleary, and Grant families, and many dear friends.

A Rosary vigil will be held Thursday, May 30th at 7:00pm at the Bellarmine Preparatory High School chapel at 2300 S. Washington Street, Tacoma.

Funeral mass will be held Friday, May 31st at 11:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church on 1123 North J Street, Tacoma, followed by a celebration of her life in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bellarmine Preparatory High School or St. Patrick Catholic Church.

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