Obituary

Marie Evelyn Mooney Obituary
Marie Evelyn Mooney, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and treasured friend, passed away peacefully in her Fair Oaks home on September 28, 2024, at the age of 101, surrounded by her loving family.

Marie was born on July 8, 1923, on the family farm in Hillman, Michigan, to Arthur and Oka Scheller, the second youngest of nine children. On the day of her birth, with so many children under foot, her father sent her siblings out to bring in the sheep—a chore not typical for a Sunday morning. When they returned, they were greeted by a new baby sister. Upon seeing Marie, one of her sisters said, "This must be an angel." No one in the family ever disagreed with this sentiment. Marie was an angel to everyone who was blessed to know her.

Growing up, Marie and her siblings worked the farm. It was a hard life, without electricity or running water in the harsh conditions of Northern Michigan. Marie embraced hard work and resilience. She excelled academically, graduating high school at 15. She later returned to teach in the same one-room schoolhouse where she had once been a student.

After moving to Detroit, she worked as a bookkeeper at the A&P. It was in Detroit where she met her future husband, Joseph Mooney. They were married for 64 years. In 1950, they moved to California, where they bought their home in Fair Oaks and lived for over 70 years. Together, they raised their two children, Michael and Joanne, and shared a love for camping, fishing, and jeeping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They also enjoyed square dancing, gardening, and traveling.

Marie’s life was a testament to faith and family. She was a dedicated member of St. Mel’s Parish. She volunteered from the parish’s earliest years and faithfully made a weekly Holy Hour at the Adoration Chapel for more than 30 years. Marie loved to sew, crochet, bake, ski, ice skate, and read, always curious and eager to learn something new. She was knowledgeable about current affairs affecting the political climate of our country. Marie was a traditional Dixieland jazz aficionado, attending the Old Sacramento Jazz Festival religiously for over 30 years. She not only loved watching the Giants play but she took immense joy in watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren's activities, especially their baseball games.

Marie is survived by her children, Michael (Jacque) Mooney and Joanne Hammett; grandchildren, Sara (Scott) Lebeck, Shane (Lara) Hammett, Timothy Hammett, and Matthew (Elizabeth) Mooney; great-grandchildren, Marie, David, Grace, Michael, and Charles Lebeck, Noel and Noah Hammett, and Evelyn and Emilia Mooney. She is also survived by her loving sister, Juanita Kemp, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; two babies, Timothy and Christopher Mooney; son-in-law, James Hammett; and seven siblings, Delta Conrad, Milo Scheller, Carlos Scheller, Ford Scheller, Hazel Kerfoot, Lewis Scheller, and baby Arthur Scheller.

Marie’s life was one of quiet faith, generosity, and love. Her words of wisdom and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. May the angels lead her to paradise.

A viewing will be held on Monday, October 14, at Price Funeral Chapel in Citrus Heights from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 15, at St. Mel Catholic Church in Fair Oaks, followed by a reception. Burial will be at 2:00 PM at Fair Oaks Cemetery.