Maureen Ann Willenbring

Willenbring, Maureen Ann July 23, 1937 - July 24, 2020 Age 83 of Roseville passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 24, 2020. Maureen was a volunteer for the Council of Catholic Woman with various leadership roles at the local, province, and national levels. Maureen's dedicated and selfless service to the Church through her CCW roles and other volunteer activities earned her the highest papal honor that can be bestowed on a lay person, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Maureen was lovingly present to her family, friends, and community with a gentle, kind, and warm spirit. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Ernie; son, Michael; parents, Arthur and Mary Alfveby; and brothers, Jerry and Jim Alfveby. She is survived by her children, Daniel (Kelly Jeanetta), James (Kelly), and Karen Willenbring, M.D.; grandchildren, Erin (Jeff) Madison, Michael (Nicole), Bailey (Brendan) Sullivan, and Jacob; great grandchildren, Gavin, Cooper, Jack, Maddy, Milo, and Mack; sister Kathleen McGraw. In consideration of the risks associated with COVID-19, a Memorial Mass will be held at St. Odilia Catholic Church at a future date. A family-only burial will take place at Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville. Given Maureen was a lifelong advocate for the well-being and empowerment of women around the world, memorials are preferred to NCCW for the Madonna Program: National Council of Catholic Women, 200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 725, Arlington, VA 22203. In the memo, please indicate Madonna Program, in memory of Maureen Willenbring. I have known Maureen my whole life. One of my earliest memories of Maureen is of her driving Dan and me and my sister Shawn and Mike in the station wagon to Central Park. Dan remembers that while we were loose in the back of the station wagon (no seatbelts in those days), we used to pretend we were married and that Shawn and Mike were our kids. He thinks we were 4 or 5. Another of my early memories of Maureen was with the twins as babies/toddlers. Karen would cling to Maureen's legs as she tried to move around the house. Maureen patiently carried on with whatever she was doing with Karen attached to her. My parents and Maureen and Ernie were good friends. They met before Dan and I were born. I know that if my dad was still with us and my mom were able, they would talk about how much they enjoyed being with Maureen and Ernie. Similarly, Maureen and Ernie told me more than once how much fun they had with my mom and dad. A few years ago my dad told me that Maureen and Ernie were two of the nicest people he had ever met. When I think of Maureen I think of grace. One summer my family was between housing and we stayed for many days, maybe even a week, at Maureen and Ernie's. Dan and I were 9 so that meant Shawn and Mike were 7, Suzanne was 4, my brother Tim and Karen and Jim were 3, and my brother Mike was 1. Plus, there was my mom and dad. Dan and Mike and Shawn and I slept in our pop-up camper in the backyard, but somehow Maureen managed to squeeze everyone else in the house. And that was before the addition and before the attic was raised. Maureen took the screen off a kitchen window so that as we kids played in the backyard, she could send treats and drinks and sandwiches through the window. She kept up a steady supply of meals and treats and love and laughter. When I remember Maureen I remember a smart, proud woman with strength of character. One of her regrets was that she did not get to go to college. She made sure her children had the opportunity to do so, however, and she was so proud of their accomplishments. She was proud of many other things, including her work for the Council of Catholic Women, her Irish heritage, her cabin, her grandchildren, her siblings. Maureen always said she and Ernie were "tickled pink" when Dan and I decided to get married, and she was "tickled pink" with each new grandchild. Dan told me that in the last day or two of her life she was dreaming and suddenly reached out her arms, smiled, and said "oh you are so kind." I like to think it was St. Peter telling Maureen that they had been waiting for her and were "tickled pink" that she would soon be joining them. As someone who has known Maureen for 60 years, I think she would like me to close with this Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind always be at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon the fields, And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand. The Swing It's a pretty simple pleasure Its takes many forms It can be a rope It can be a rope with a tire It can be a rope with a board as a seat Some have chains, like the playground swings Some seat only one But there are others that are meant to share the experience with special people My Mom loved to Swing, she was actually a very good swinger, She loved the playground swings She would pump her legs and get so high the swing would "Jump" as it reached its maximum height. There are some pictures of her reaching skyward. Her children, nieces or nephews trying to get as high as her. My earliest memories of the swing was the porch swing at my Mon's childhood home on Virginia There are many pictures of all of the Alfveby grandkids on that swing. I imagine Mom sitting on that swing a lot. My Dad made many swings. I didn't think about why until the other night. I am thinking it was because Mom loved swings. It is a simple pleasure that Dad gave many of us. He made swings that allowed for you to share the experience with the ones you love the most. I think Mom's favorite swing was the one at the cabin We used to have two, one was a simple rope swing that would push you way out, almost over the lake. We have many photos of my kids reaching for the sky. But the one that remains is the swing that can sit many of your loved ones. It is positioned to take in the best lake views, see all the activity down at the lake and capture the cool breezes. I don't think we all realize how important this swing is to us all. One of the prized photos is of the swing and its not the view from the swing, it just the swing all by itself, just waiting to be enjoyed. Kelly gave me a picture of Mom and Dad on that swing, with a note that said they will be missed but always be in our memories. After Mom died, I sat on that swing, physically I was alone, but I was sitting there with her enjoying the peacefulness and beauty that the swing provides. The Swing - as simple as it is was one of Mom's favorite things. Some to be enjoyed all by your self but better when shared with those you love. Mom - Thanks for giving us such a simple pleasure.

Tributes

Maureen Ann Willenbring

July 23, 1937 - July 24, 2020

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