Mary Ellen Alverson Obituary (1927 - 2015)

Mary Ellen Abbott Alverson passed peacefully to eternal life at 11:15 a.m., October 5, 2015 at her family home, which she called Heavenblest House, in Normal, IL after a brief and brave struggle with cancer.Her funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Epiphany Catholic Church with Monsignor Eric Powell officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2015 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with a Rosary service at 6:45 p.m.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or Faith in Action, both in Bloomington.Mary was born July 3, 1927, in Bloomington, IL, the daughter of William Herman Abbott and Anna Arteman Abbott. Mary was known for her ready smile and sharp sense of humor.Mary is survived by her six children, Jeanette (Bill) Fey of Carrollton, TX, Kathy Simmons of Champaign, IL, Bill (Rhonda) Alverson of Bloomington, IL, Jim (Sandy) Alverson of Lawrenceville, GA, Andy (Patty) Alverson of Plano, TX, and Julie (Tom) Sica of Glenmont, NY, 17 grandchildren, 18.5 great-grandchildren, countless nieces and nephews, and many treasured friends.Mary was predeceased by her husband Harry (1980), her brother Donald, and three infant sisters.Mary graduated in 1945 from Trinity High School in Bloomington, IL. and began working at State Farm Insurance Company, where she met Harry Lee Alverson. They married in 1948 in St. Paul, MN, where they lived until 1952. They moved with their first 3 children with State Farm to Dallas, TX, in 1952, where they lived until 1967. The next three children were born in Dallas. The family transferred back home to Bloomington-Normal in 1967.In addition to raising their six children, Mary often volunteered at their schools and her parish. Mary was a daily communicant at Epiphany Catholic Church, and an active volunteer. She volunteered for Faith in Action, Mobile Meals, St. Vincent DePaul Society Food Pantry at Holy Trinity Church, and as a Pink Lady at St. Josephs Hospital and The Community Cancer Center in Bloomington-Normal, IL. Mary hosted a number of her high school class reunions at home, and continued to meet with high school friends regularly.Born on Independence Day Eve, Mary was a bold and patriotic American, witnessed by her fierce reverence for the flag and respect for the military, as well as all of the great Fourth of July celebrations many will remember attending at the family home.Mary believed in and loved Angels. She amassed a collection of angel items in her home and her beloved gardens.