Mary Jo O'Leary

Mary Jo O""Leary, 81 LAKELAND - Mary Jo O""Leary, loving wife and mother, died Sunday morning (Feb. 26, 2011) of kidney failure at her home in Lakeland. She was 81. Born to George and Josephine Sullivan of Elizabeth, N.J., she graduated from Notre Dame College of Staten Island with a degree in child psychology. In 1953, she married fellow Elizabeth native Joseph T. O""Leary, Jr. When her husband was transferred to Florida in 1960, she and her family moved to Lakeland. She taught kindergarten at Kiddie Kollege in Lakeland from 1963 to 1975. A founding member of the Church of the Resurrection, Mrs. O""Leary was a member of the Resurrection Council of Catholic Women. She taught Pre-Cana and RCIA classes at the church. She also served on the board of the Council of Catholic Women for the Western Deanery of the Diocese of Orlando and the Santa Fe Catholic High School Board. Mrs. O""Leary was on both the state and local boards of the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. Mrs. O""Leary was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her brother James. She is survived by children Michael O""Leary, Patrick O""Leary (Karen), Peg Parsch"", and Kathleen Wright (Michael) of Lakeland, Mary Beth Fabian and Robert O""Leary (Kathleen) of Longwood, Florida, Maureen O""Leary of Atlanta, GA, and. Timothy O""Leary (Cheryl) of Tulsa, OK. She also leaves eleven grandchildren. Heath Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Viewing is scheduled for Thursday night 5:30 to 7:30 at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. Friday at the Church of the Resurrection. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Church of the Resurrection or Catholic Charities in Mrs. O""Leary""s name. Service: 03/02/2012 Resurrection Catholic Church 3855 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33813 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 03/01/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel