Mary Rasmussen

My Sister Mary

By Ruth Rasmussen

When we were kids, our grandmother on our father's side began telling Mary that she was going to be a nun, but not any nun, a mother superior! She reminded her of this every so often. Though never a nun, Mary DID become a very devout Catholic.

Mary's occupation became taking care of children as a private nanny. There were three families that she worked for, but the first one was the longest run. She helped raise twin boys, and they were so bonded that we even went to the wedding of one of the boys.

Mary had a significant other in her life by the name of Scott, to whom she was married for some of the years they were together one way or another. They stayed in touch for decades. After her childcare years, she and Scott bought, fixed up and sold homes. They also spent many summer weekends up north at his cabin, enjoying nature and hanging out at the little town's café drinking coffee with the locals.

Mary's primary calling was to the unborn. She was a prolife advocate and spent many years doing sidewalk counseling at the Robbinsdale Women's Clinic. She was outspoken about abortion and everything she believed strongly in. It didn't bother her what others thought about her -- she needed to convey what was on her heart. Mary was also a spiritually receptive Christian who experienced various miracles and visitations.

Mary eventually bought her own little house in Minnetonka on Gizmo Lane, which we always thought was a humorous name. And she always had a cat or two to keep her company. She sold the house to a developer and bought a condo in Hopkins, where she lived for many years with her cats Lucy and Charlie.

Our oldest brother Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after he moved back into the family house, so Mary sold the condo and moved in, dedicating herself to caring for him. He passed into the arms of God five years ago and she stayed busy taking care of the family house. She and Lucy the cat were very bonded, but Lucy died about five months before Mary. She was the sweetest cat I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I miss her too.

Mary's breast cancer was diagnosed maybe 20 years ago, at which time she had a double mastectomy. She was just fine for many years until some was spotted in the pleura maybe five years ago. It was managed well with very good medications for the past years until finally it spread. Mary didn't want chemotherapy so made the choice to start home hospice. For six months she did fairly well, until just a few weeks ago, when she began to fail and needed 24/7 care. She was finally blessed to be accepted into Our Lady of Peace hospice, and less than four days later she passed peacefully into Heaven.

I will dearly miss her!

Can't say enough about the people at Our Lady of Peace, and recommend donating to them in lieu of flowers.