Mary June Neumaier

Mary grew up in Cohasset, MN and graduated from Grand Rapids Senior High in 1936. After high school, she worked Civil Service for the Veterans Administration in Milwaukee, WI. She relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1950 when she married her husband of 46 years, Roman Neumaier. An avid faithful and committed Catholic, Mary was one of the founding members of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She helped establish and was a strong active supporter of Our Lady of Fatima School where she served as secretary for many of its early years as well as many other boards, councils and committees for the Church school and Diocese. She was known by many for her countless hours on the yard sale and raffle drawing that began with Fatima’s Bazar which later became the Giant Yard Sale of the International Spring Festival until she was 86 years young. In 1986 Mary became interested in genealogy and joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames XVII Century and Daughters of the American Colonist. Like many aspects of her life she became a respected active leader in these organizations, holding chapter and state level offices of all these groups. She was a clan leader of Clan MacFie and past board member of the Scottish Highland and Island Games. She was one of the founding members of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Mississippi Archeological Association and served as secretary/treasurer and president throughout the years. She also volunteered countless hours at the Biloxi VA. Mary planned her life around her children, grandchildren and the church. She was the first to volunteer for the church and the community. Those who knew her will remember her for her gentle selflessness, dependability, leadership ability and her green hair during Mardi Gras. We can only wish to be as active as she was and to be able to touch so many lives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roman Edward Neumaier; her son, Donny Lane; and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Theresa Keller (Jack); her son, Paul Neumaier (Jerrilyn); her grandchildren, Thomas Keller and Joshua Neumaier; her sister, Adeline Stevens; and her nieces, Susan, Amanda and Mary. The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Pavlov, Dr. Lenon Bowen, everyone at Canon Hospice and Hospice of Light for their dedication and loving care. Thank you, Mary, Diane and Nell for their diligent care and exceptional kindness during Gran’s last days. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial offerings to Our Lady of Fatima’s Retired Priest Fund, 2030 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2030 Pass Road, Biloxi on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until Mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.