Born ‎9 Mar 1942 Milan, Michigan, died ‎8 Oct 2006 Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota‎, age 64 years
Rooney, Mary Lou Retired 3M Manager, volunteer & life of the party

Born March 9, 1942 in Milan, MI to Margaret & Newton Squires. A style icon, Mary Lou graduated from Michigan State U with a degree in retail merchandising. An Alpha Xi Delta & active in campus organizations, Mary Lou was a life long Spartan. After graduation, Mary Lou moved to New York City. During her travels she met Gary Rooney in Mpls. & determined he was worth the move. She joined Dayton's Special Events in 1967 but 1968 was her year - she married Gary on February 24 & joined 3M in Nov. Hired to promote Scotchgard Protector, she worked in all areas of textiles – furnishings, carpet, apparel, the paper & packaging industry. She was an advocate for women's advancement in her entire 30+ years on the job. A tireless organizational and political volunteer, she was a member of numerous fashion, design, & political organizations. Supporter of Mich. State U Libraries, U of MN women's athletics, Planned Parenthood, and other arts/social service organizations. Mary Lou loved to travel, listen to music (esp. rock and roll), cook, taste wine & dine out. Her quiet time was filled with crosswords, reading & the joy of her beloved pets. Mary Lou fought a 7 year battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a relatively rare & incurable disease that causes lung tissue to scar and harden. She died October 8, 2006. To help others win this fight, she has donated her body to the U of M for ongoing research of lung disease. In addition to Gary, Mary Lou is survived by siblings Jan & Jerry Greashaber, Sara & Jerry Siebert, Newt & Linda Squires and special aunt, Leona Mae Towner (all in Mich.); and the entire Rooney family. A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held Thurs., Oct. 19, 3PM at Washburn-McReavy followed by a reception at Jimmy's (952-224-5858) in Minnetonka from 4 – 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Michigan State Library Fund (Margaret A. Squires Fund) or Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th Street at Hwy 100

Born ‎25 Oct 1938 Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota, died ‎26 Apr 2019 Diamondhead, Hancock County, Mississippi‎, age 80 years, buried Glenwood, Pope County, Minnesota
Rooney, Gary Allen

Preceded in death by parents Delbert and Blanche (Pederson) Rooney and wife Mary Lou.

Gary was born in Glenwood, MN on October 25, 1938. Anyone who knew Gary would not be shocked to find out he was voted "Best Mixer" of his high school class. After graduation in 1956, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego and Japan. Following his honorable discharge in 1960, Gary headed to the University of Minnesota.

Gary and Mary Lou Squires were married on February 24, 1968 and resided in Minneapolis and Edina for many years.

Gary enjoyed a long career with Knowlan's Grocery and was a faithful booster for women's athletics at the U of M and Michigan State. He was an avid reader, golfer, entertainer and an equally avid lover of his faithful Bombay and Tonic with lime. Since 2015, Gary had a 2nd hom e in Diamondhead, MS where he had family and friends from Glenwood. He also found a new love with Carol Lilley. Gary and Carol enjoyed spending time with friends at the Diamondhead Country Club, particularly Sunday brunch. They were especially involved in Mardi Gras activities and served as Equerry and Lady-in-Waiting for the Krewe of Kamehameha . Unfortunately, a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma cut their time short . Carol was by his side when Gary found his eternal life.

In addition to Carol, Gary is survived by brothers Dick (Bev), Darrell, Paul (Annette) and Phil (Theresa) and his sister Jeanne Kuisle. Also, many nieces, nephews and countless friends. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, June 11, 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the St. Paul Pool & Yacht Club in Lilydale, MN. Family and friends are welcome. Memorials preferred to the University of Minnesota Foundation for Women's Athletics or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Burial will be at the Glenwood Catholic Cemetery on June 18 at 1:00 p.m.

Published on June 9, 2019