Mary Lynn Weber

Mary Lynn Weber, 81, died in her home in Milwaukee on October 31, 2013, due to complications following surgery. Family, friends and her beloved cat Sweets were at her bedside at her passing. She was born to the late Bernard Patrick Weber II and Beatrice Marie Gatiss Weber in Kingsford, Michigan on March 2, 1932. Following graduation from Kingsford High School in 1950, she attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Education degree in 1954. Mary Lynn entered the Order of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Marylhurst, Oregon, in 1958 and taught high school in Eugene, Oregon. Teaching called more strongly than the sisterhood, and she eventually chose to be relieved of her religious vows. She attended Marquette University to complete her Master's degree in English literature in 1969. She continued work toward a PhD degree, studying the poetry of Gerard Manly Hopkins. Mary Lynn taught English in the Milwaukee Public School System from January 1972, until she retired in June 1994. She enjoyed teaching assignments at Kosciuszko Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts, and Marshall High School. Her deep love of literature drove her to prepare tirelessly for her classes, to the lasting benefit of generations of students. Mary Lynn enjoyed a rich retirement. She loved her rescued cats, including Sugar (""Shug""), Champ, Champie Two, and Sweets. She found joy in her lake home in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin, in antiquing throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for items with the ""Weber"" name, in Milwaukee's art and theater offerings, in her Democratic party politics, in her condominium association board membership and, above all, in her Green Bay Packers and University of Michigan football teams. She was an avid reader and writer, and ensured that all her family would be readers, too. Books were the generous gifts she passed along to friends and family. In addition to her parents, Mary Lynn's brothers Bernard Patrick III, Bruce (""Bud"") Michael, James Howard, and William John predeceased her. She is survived by 22 nieces and nephews, 49 grand nieces and nephews, and 30 great-grand nieces and nephews. She was delighted to be called GREAT AUNT...because she was. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society, 4500 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208; Milwaukee Public Radio (WUWM), Box 88890, Milwaukee, WI 53288-0890; Urban Ecology Center (address above) or the charity of one's choice. Service & Reception InfoA celebration of Mary Lynn's life will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 6:00 pm at the Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee, WI 53211. A private inurnment ceremony at the Iron Mountain Cemetery in Iron Mountain, Michigan will be held at a later date.