Mary Florence Sherburne

Mary Florence (Dunlevy) Sherburne, 74, passed away on December 5, 2025, due to complications from a brain tumor that she bravely fought for 21 years. In her final years, the illness brought on dementia, but she was spared the most difficult stages, for which her family is deeply grateful. She spent her final hours peacefully, surrounded by her loving husband and three children.

Mary is survived by her husband of 49 years, Jim; children Andy (Laura), John, and Kate (Kyle Brown); grandchildren Caroline and James; mother Florence Dunlevy (105); sister Cathy Malone; brother Dan Dunlevy (Judy); sister Margaret Dunlevy (Steven); and sister-in-law Judy Dunlevy.

She was preceded in death by father John Dunlevy; brother Charlie Dunlevy; brother-in-law Tom Malone; sister-in-law Georgia Dunlevy; and father and mother-in-law Bill and Jeanne Sherburne.

Mary was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, on September 24, 1951. She was raised on a farm there with her parents and four siblings. She graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1969 and went on to earn her associate degree in nursing from St. Mary’s Junior College in 1972. One of her first nursing positions was at the University of Minnesota Hospital, where she honed her skills as a surgical intensive care nurse. It was there she caught the eye of a young orderly named Jim, who she would soon fall in love with. Both Mary and Jim made many lasting friendships with the crazy staff of Station 44. Mary and Jim were married on October 30, 1976, in Redwood Falls.

In 1977, Mary and Jim moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Jim attended law school at Drake University. Mary worked as a nurse in the Cardiac ICU at Mercy Hospital, where she formed many more lifelong friendships. In 1981, Mary gave birth to their first son, Andy. The family returned to Minnesota in 1985, and in May 1987 Mary and Jim welcomed their second son, John. Mary chose to stay home with Andy and John for several years. In 1990, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Information Management from St. Catherine’s, weekend college. Shortly before finishing her degree, Mary learned she was pregnant—a joyful surprise after being told it was unlikely. In August 1990, she gave birth to their daughter, Kathryn Mary (Kate). Mary once again devoted herself to being at home, lovingly raising their three children. After exploring several new job opportunities in the late 1990s, Mary returned to her true calling in 2000 and resumed her work as a nurse working in clinics associated with Regions Hospital in St. Paul. She continued nursing until 2004, when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In 2010, Mary became a grandma for the first time when her granddaughter Caroline was born. In 2013, she welcomed her second grandchild, James.

Mary had a fierce and unwavering love for her family of five, as well as for her extended family. She shared a particularly close bond with her two sisters, Cathy and Margaret, and with her mother, Florence, who will turn 106 on December 21. Mary and Florence spoke every day at 4 p.m., a special ritual that brought them both comfort—especially in the final years of Mary’s life.

Mary loved being in nature, and the Sherburne family cabin was one of her favorite places, filled with countless cherished memories. She had a deep affection for animals, especially her dogs—Sparky, Pepper, and Teddy. Perhaps her greatest joy was riding horses. Stardust, her favorite horse from childhood on the farm, and Calvin, her special horse later in life, held a treasured place in her heart.

Mary also loved traveling with her family, particularly to warm destinations with a beach. She enjoyed skiing—both downhill and water skiing—and her family has no doubt that, had girls had more athletic opportunities in her youth, Mary would have been an exceptional athlete. They imagine her now, watching her granddaughter play soccer from heaven, smiling with pride.

Even as life became increasingly difficult following her brain tumor diagnosis, and as she gradually faced the loss of many abilities, Mary’s desire to live never wavered. With Jim by her side, she persevered with courage and grace. May she finally rest in peace and watch over all of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s name to Sharing and Caring Hands or Feed My Starving Children.

A visitation with the family will be held on Monday, December 15, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel in Plymouth, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, December 16, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Golden Valley at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.