Maria Rooney, 86

Maria "Nettie" Rooney, age 86, of Cottage Grove, formerly of Canton, Ohio, passed away at home on Jan. 10 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia.

She was small in stature but a strong "family comes first" lady.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anne Marcelli, and her brothers, Joe and Don.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Don; her sons, Tom of Cottage Grove and Dan (Brenda) of Onalaska, Wis.; grandchildren, Nick of St. Louis and Claire of Onalaska; in-laws Shirley Marcelli of Massillon, Ohio, and Val Marcelli, Doris Hoover, and Marland Hoover of North Canton, Ohio; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members - including close friends Sue and Gary Stoner.

She worked for 20 years for the South Washington County School District, serving as secretary to five different athletic directors. She retired in 1992.

Visitation 4-8 p.m. Monday at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at church. Mass of Christian burial 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley, St. Paul Park. Interment church cemetery. Special thanks to the HealthEast hospice and homecare nurses, and the care givers from FamilyMeans. Memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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