Mary Lavelle

mary lavelle
Mary Lavelle, 95, passed away July 9, 2020, in Villa Maria, Fargo ND. Mary Ann Emmett was born on November 13, 1924 in Calvin ND to Raymond and Lenore (Kloepfel) Emmett. She attended Grey Township and Sarles ND schools. Post high school, Mary attended Interstate Business College and was employed by Empire Supply Company in Fargo. She married James A. Lavelle in 1947 at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Mary and Jim were charter members of Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo and she was devoted to Bronson Club, Adoration, and the Funeral Committee. In her spirit of giving and caring, Mary delivered Meals on Wheels for almost 30 years. Mary loved to fill her free time with golf, walking and biking and was an avid bridge player. But her priorities were her nine children, their numerous friends, and nieces and nephews, many of whom considered her their second mom. She welcomed all to her home with open arms and an open kitchen. Mary and Jim enjoyed their winters in Scottsdale AZ until his death in 1995. Mary is resting in eternal peace, trusting she lived a good life, raised wonderful children, and left a small carbon footprint. Mary is survived by her children Loralee LaPointe, Vermillion SD, Kari Stoner (Steve), Fargo, Margy Lavelle Furst, Edison WA, Jack, Little Cormorant MN, Barb Houglum (Gregg), Moorhead MN, Dan (Kimberly), Fort Collins CO, Chuck (Kristy), Fort Collins CO, Andrew, Seattle WA; daughter-in-law Jeanne Ledoux Lavelle, Mainville OH; 17 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many, many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her son Jamie, her parents, and her siblings Dot Schwartz, Nell Hart, Bud Emmett, Joe Emmett and Molly Blair. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Nativity Catholic Church, Valley Seniors Services Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday July 20, with visitation one hour before, at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo. Nativity church requires attendees to wear face mask per CDC guidelines.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Barb, Kari, and family, So sorry for the loss of your mom. Hard to lose a mom! May you embrace the many memories you have of dear Mary. Blessings to all! Bev McShane Malnory

  2. So sorry to hear your mother passed. I took care of all of you back in the 50s. I have never forgotten all of you. Your mother was a wonderful person. …Mary Wieczorek, Schaar

  3. Barb, Gregg, Kids and the Lavelle family. I was so sorry to hear of Marys’ passing. May she find her way to the comforting arms of our lord. My memory of Mary was how young and full of life she always was when I attended one of your family gatherings. Prayers and much love to you.

  4. My deepest sympathy to you all. Mary was a special person who was always dressed to the nines with a smile on her face. Mary had volunteered for me at SENDCAA a few times. What a blessing and joy she was to have in our building. Jessie, her granddaughter, is like a second daughter to me and Jessie would always keep me posted on her beloved grandmother. She will be missed by so many.

  5. Condolences on the death of your Mom. She was a special lady. As my godmother she took on the roll of Mom for me after Blanche died. Always remembered me on my Birthday and at Christmas. I always felt she was someone to try to emulate – thoughtful, considerate and loving. I will have many memories of her. She is with the Lord now and reunited with the old “gang”. Love to you all.

  6. Lavelle Clan
    so sorry to hear of May’s passing. She was a delightful human being. Mary had a perpetual smile on her face. She was always happy to see you and strike up a conversation. Jim and Mary raised a wonderful family that share their great qualities. Always quick to laugh and love those around them. You are all in our prayers.
    Dan Mickelson & Kim Kelly

  7. To Mary’s family we send our sympathy. We have fond memories of sweet Mary and her delightful ways and manners. Always delightful to everyone and a true servant to so many. May she rest in peace and reunite with her family again.

  8. Sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. She was a beautiful, kind and happy presence in our lives during the time my brothers and I shared classrooms at Nativity with several of you. And, she remained a good and treasured friend of our mother’s. May peace and love surround you all at this difficult time.

  9. My condolences to Mary’s kids. She hosted a bridal shower for me and gathered the old Bridge gang to all be there! Do you remember Nativity guilds and the doughnuts that the women sold after Sunday Mass? It was so much fun and Mary was a big part of it. Delightful is the perfect word for her. She will surely be missed. But so many fond memories of her remain. Thinking of all of you.

  10. She was a wonderful second mother and always so good to me. I was able to visit with her last summer and we had a great conservation remembering times about us kids. The memories are treasured. Our thoughts are with the family, wish I could be there to celebrate her life.
    Love,

  11. Deepest sympathy to you all. Mary and I served on the Holy Cross Cemetery board together for many years. I remember how faithful she was about planting flowers at the cemetery entrance for so many years. We formed a special friendship and when she found out I raised raspberries for sale there was many visits to her home with fresh raspberries and a chance for a good conversation. She had the greatest smile and always a twinkle in her eye. The picture you chose for her obituary is the beautiful lady I fondly remember and had the pleasure to know.

  12. Love and condolences to the Lavelle Family form the Knudsons. Mary was a beautiful person inside and out, as well as a wonderful Godmother and friend. Her love and generosity of spirit will always be in our hearts.

  13. One of the most beautiful people to grace this planet. A life well lived, and well loved. Mary will be missed.

  14. It was always a treat to see Mary in Church. We loved seeing and greeting her.
    What a lovely, lovely person she was. We will miss her!! So sorry for your loss.

  15. Mary was always a delight to be around, she was so sweet, kind and beautiful lady inside and out. We attended St. Anthony’s, Nativity at the same time and also belonged to Brownson Study Club which she was a member of since 1973. My sympathy to the family. Glad I was able to view the live stream of Mary’s funeral.

  16. Hey, Lavelles. I don’ have to tell you what a bright light your mother was, but I will tell you how much I appreciated observing her obvious delight in each one of you, in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love and care for others (including Max and me) was always evident. We love the story of her delivering Meals on Wheels “to the old people” when she was in her 80’s. An example for all of us. God bless and keep you.

  17. Jack,
    I did not know your mother well, but I do remember that she & my mom sometimes worked together on projects at Shanley. I just lost my own mother a year ago, so I know it’s difficult.
    My deepest condolences to you & your family.
    Class of 1970

    Steve & Jane (Ermer) Metzger

  18. To the Lavelle family, I am so, so sorry to jhear about the loss of Mary. I am so sadden that I am just hearing about Mary. I can’t say enough about how she was loved & lived life to the finest. Truly a saint with so much life & passion! ❤️
    Eternity with Christ 💞
    Rick Graalum

  19. Our deepest sympathy. I remember Mary’s sparkle and energy! No matter the length of time you get to have your parent, it hurts when they are no longer there. Her obituary was so beautifully written! May all your memories provide comfort.

  20. To the Lavelle Family

    Mary was a very special person and will be remembered fondly!

    It was so much fun growing up with such a loving family. Mary always had time t visit with me from the age of ten to 66.!!! And I’m going to miss that.

    I’m sure Mary and Slim are telling stories to each other and laughing the whole time!!


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide