Obituary: Mary K. Hamann

Mary K. Hamann

June 2, 1960 – April 22, 2011

SOUTH BEND – Mary Kathleen Hamann,
50, of South Bend, passed away on Good Friday, April 22, of natural causes.

Mary was born in South Bend,
Indiana, on June 2, 1960, the fifth of ten children of Mary Ann and Professor
Edward J. Murphy.  She attended Marian
High School and the University of Notre Dame.

Mary married Mike Hamann on August
9, 1980.  They have four grown
children:  Kate, Jake, Nick, and Pete.  Mary served as Director of Communications for
the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame.

Mary was preceded in death by her
father, Edward; mother, Mary Ann; brother, James; infant brother, Peter; and
infant nephew, Patrick.  She is survived
by her beloved husband, Mike; their children, Kate (Juan Valenzuela), Jake
(fiancée Anne Raih), Nick (Kelly), and Pete (Gina Pellouchoud) Hamann; Mike’s
parents, Fred and Pat Hamann; siblings Ann Manion (Dan), Marty Murphy (Jane),
John Murphy (Christine), Tom Murphy (Barb), Pat Murphy (Tonia), Mike Murphy
(Cheryl), and Steve Murphy (Tina); sister-in-law Kim Murphy; brother-in-law
Dave Hamann (Becky); and 36 nieces and nephews: 
Ryan, Jason, and Kevin Murphy; Mary, Katherine, Patrick, and Michael Manion;
Tim (Alice), Caroline, Ted, Matthew, Anthony, Paul, and Stephen Murphy; Monica,
Colleen, and Mitch Murphy; Kelly, Sean, Peter, and Megan Murphy; Eileen, Maria,
Emily, and Meg Murphy; Bonita, Jack, Jeff, Regina, Thomas, and Cecilia Murphy;
and Edward, Michael, Jacob, Mary Jo, and Emma Murphy.

Mary was devoted to her family, had
an engaging laugh and constant positive outlook.  She loved hosting pool parties for family and
friends, where she could be found lounging on a float, wine glass in hand,
laughing and telling stories. She also enjoyed playing euchre to win, coaching
softball and volleyball, and cheering on the Fighting Irish, Bears, and Cubs. A
gifted writer, Mary was editor of Notre
Dame Business magazine.

She was selfless and quietly sought out ways, large or small,
to make life easier for others. Whether to offer practical advice, spiritual
direction, or just to listen, Mary always had time for you. She was the primary
caregiver during her mother’s long struggle with ALS. Years ago, in a tribute
to her grandmother, Mary wrote of lessons learned from Grandma’s life:  work hard and serve others; enjoy simple
family times; enjoy regular folks; give generously even when it isn’t easy or
convenient; never complain.  Mary’s life
embodied those same lessons.

Mary was a devout Catholic, daily
communicant, and longtime parishioner at Holy Cross Parish. All of her life,
she sought to emulate Christ with her complete selflessness and self-emptying
love. She always remained that sweet, prayerful little girl who loved Christ
and her blessed mother.

She was instrumental in helping to found the Women’s Care Center
with her sister, Ann Manion, and Professor Janet Smith in the early 1980s.

Visitation will be held at Kaniewski
Funeral Home from 2-8 pm on Sunday, May 1. Mass of Christian Burial will take
place at Holy Cross church at 10 am on Monday, May 2, with internment to follow
at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to the Women’s Care Center or the Peace Corps Paraguay Country Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to
the family at www.kaniewski.com.

“I came that they might have life and
have it to the full.”

John 10:10

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