Mary Elliott

Mary Reardon Elliott, June 29,1932-December 22, 2024 passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice Care after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.

Mary was born in Milwaukee to the late Timothy Reardon and the late Ellen Reardon (nee Hanley). Mary was a 1950 graduate of Waukesha High School and a 1954 graduate of UW-Madison, with a degree in physical education. Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Charles; two sons Patrick (Laurie) and Michael; daughter Erin Leibel; granddaughters Brianna Leibel and Elizabeth Leibel; and stepgrandsons Brady Perrigo and David Perrigo.

To her family, Mary was one of the most engaged and active women around. She encouraged her children to pursue as many activities as possible – and they took her advice. Her two sons were passionate about sports and Mary was their biggest fan. She also exposed them to the arts, specifically music and dance, insisting they develop interests outside of sports. On the other hand, Mary’s daughter was immersed in both music and dance, but with encouragement from her mom, Erin became a member of a softball team. Determined to make it a family affair, Mary appointed her oldest son, Pat, to be the head coach.

Mary was selfless when it came to her grandchildren. Whether it was a T-ball game, soccer match, piano recital or choir performance, “Nana” always tried to be there. In fact, at age 87, Mary and her granddaughter, Brianna, flew to Italy to watch Brianna’s twin sister, Elizabeth, sing in an opera.

Mary also thoroughly enjoyed watching her stepgrandsons play hockey whenever they traveled to Madison. She was thrilled when both graduated from her alma mater and she attended their graduations.

Mary and her daughter-in-law, Laurie, had an instant and loving connection. Family was, and is, their top priority. They were loyal fans of the state’s sports teams and shared a passion for gardening, reading and fashion.

Mary and her beloved husband, Charles (or “Bud” to Mary) were married for 67 years. Their story began on a double date in college when they realized that they enjoyed each other’s company more than the company of their respective dates. Always respectful and loving towards each other, theirs was a model for a successful and enduring marriage. From RV trips to Disney World to Estes Park to the Grand Canyon, Mary planned fun family vacations every year and those

remain treasured memories to her husband and children. Mary and Charles enjoyed traveling as a couple as well, visiting Ireland, France and the British Isles. Both attended many Brewers, Bucks and Badger games, including the 1994 Rose Bowl.

Teaching was Mary’s true calling, beginning with her first job as a physical education teacher at Wauwatosa High School and then going on to teach at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay. From there, she taught at John Muir, Franklin and Orchard Ridge elementary schools in Madison where her drum was an ever present fixture in their gymnasiums. In addition, Mary taught modern dance at UW-Madison and Edgewood College. In 1980, she accepted an invitation to teach modern dance in Saudi Arabia for a month, but Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan derailed that adventure as travel to the Middle East was prohibited.

Her commitment to both dance and her students earned her a Wisconsin Dance Instructor of the Year award.

Ever the champion of the underdog, Mary was always supportive of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those who could not afford gym shoes. There were many instances where she paid for new shoes out of her own pocket. It was clear that Mary’s devotion to her students went well beyond the gyms she taught in.

A visitation will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Wednesday, January 8th from 9:30-11:00 a.m. A funeral mass will follow with a luncheon celebrating Mary’s life at Blackhawk Country Club immediately after the service.

A special thank you to Dr. Jeremy Kratz, whose commitment to Mary’s care was extraordinary. The same holds true for Dr. Gerald Kraske and nurse Jennifer Graves, whose kindness and support for our entire family will always be appreciated. And to the caretakers at Home Instead and the many nurses and caregivers at Agrace, who are doing God’s work – a deeply heartfelt thank you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to fund cancer research at UW Health/Carbone Cancer Center. Please share your memories of Mary at CressFuneralService.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434