Mary Lou Sweeney

Mary Lou died peacefully early Sunday morning, May 28, 2017, while saying her daily Rosary.

Mary Lou was born "Mary Louise" on Feb. 16, 1927, to Robert Bennie and Katherine McGrath in Butte. She spent her childhood in Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah, until the death of her father, when her mother returned with the family to Butte. In 1945, she graduated from Girls Central High School and then attended UCLA. She married John Edmund Sweeney on Sept. 10, 1949. They lived in Missoula; Calgary, Canada; and California. In 1972, they returned to Montana and she lived in Billings the rest of her life. Mary Lou was a devout Catholic, a devoted mother, faithful wife and tireless advocate of persons with disabilities. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her, listened to her laughter and loved the twinkle in her Irish eyes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Timothy J Duggan; her husband, John; her sons-in-law, Laurence D. Ullman and Judge Mark T Price; and her brother-in-law, Francis Sullivan.

She is survived by her sister, Caryl Sullivan; brother Robert Bennie and his wife, Lois, all of Butte; daughter, Karen Price of Wichita Falls, Texas, her sons, Kevin T Sweeney and his wife, Sandi of Billings, Michael Sweeney of Helena and John Sweeney of Billings. Her grandchildren include Lisa Ullman Weeks and her husband, Bill Sandes of Seattle; Sean Sweeney and his wife, Brittney of Redmond, Washington; and Jessica Little and her husband, Russell of Bolingbrook, Illinois; and her step-grandchildren, Patrick McCleary of Billings and Kelly McCleary of Ft. Collins, Colorado. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be offered for the repose of her soul at 10 a.m. Monday, June 5, at St Pius X Catholic Church, 717 18th St. West, Billings.

Memorials should be directed to Billings Training Industries, 604 19th St. West, Billings, MT 59102; or Residential Support Services, 2110 Overland Ave., Billings, MT 59102.