Mary Loretta Greenhalgh

MADISON - Mary K. Greenhalgh, age 72, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare after a long struggle with metastatic breast cancer. She was born on March 18, 1949, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Howard and Josephine (Meany) Knickerbocker. Mary graduated from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago and attended UW-Whitewater for three years. She married Mike Greenhalgh on May 1, 1970. Mary worked almost her entire life, retiring in May 2020. She started her working career in 1970 as a Teachers Aid in Fallbrook, Calif., the “Avocado Capital of the World,” helping the children of migrant workers from Mexico learn English. Her 49-year career in the financial services industry included Anaheim Savings and Loan, Glendale Federal in California, and First Federal Savings & Loan, Kelly Financial, Inc., and Gallagher Insurance in Madison, Wis. Her numerous positions in the S&L industry included teller, branch manager and regional branch manager. Her positions at Kelly Financial and Gallagher focused on insurance and 401K Plan sales and retirement counseling. Mary was active in the Madison Association of Life Underwriters, served as the first woman President of the Madison East Side Rotary Club in the early 1990s, served on the UW-Whitewater Education Advisory Board, served on various committees as a longtime member of Maple Bluff Country Club and enjoyed participating in a local Bible studies group. Mary enjoyed spending time with her many good friends and family, walking, reading and golf. Mary’s overriding personal attributes included an honest, ethical, and candid approach to communication and life. These attributes helped her deal with her on going health challenges in a positive and forward-looking manner. Mary is survived by her husband, Mike; sister, Susan (Jeff Devries) Nagrodski; brother, Bob (Maureen Drotleff) Knickerbocker; three sisters-in-law, Mary (Jim) Gage, Kathy (Jim) Seidel and Ellen (Bob) Shattuck; and brother-in-law, Mark (Amy) Greenhalgh. She was preceded in death by her father, Howard; mother, Josephine; and brother, Howie Knickerbocker. Having no children, Mary cared for and treated her ten nieces and nephews as her own. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the UW Carbone Cancer Center and the caring staff at Agrace HospiceCare A Funeral Mass will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. A reception following the Mass will be held at 5116 Lacy Road, Fitchburg. Memorials may be gifted in Mary’s name to Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School or the Evan Scholars Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420