CORLEY, Mary Magdalene (Ryan)
January 12, 1940 October 26, 2020
Born to James and Margaret Popesh Ryan in Ely. Grandparents Michael and Margaret Sever Popesh, Ely, and James and Barbara Taylor Ryan of rural Aitkin. Preceded in death by parents, grandparents, brother James, brothers-in-law Frank Weisinger and Leonard Fox, sister-in-law Karen Ryan.
Mary is survived by her husband of 59 years Daniel Martin Corley, three daughters: Cynthia Mastick, (Grant), Lyn Ostar(John) and Stephanie McNicholas, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way. Also survived by 6 sisters: Margaret Fox, Theresa Weisinger, Jean (Jack) Corley, Barbara (Robert) Carnes, Veronica (Paul) DuPuis, Elizabeth (Larry) Alexander and two brothers: Joseph (Sharon) and John (Gailyn) Ryan and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary graduated from Ely High School in 1959 She was active in many activities including band, editing the school paper, and synchronized swimming… one of the Water Babes that won the Minnesota state championship. She became a National Merit Scholar, receiving a full scholarship which made it possible for her to attend Catholic University in Washington D.C. She graduated in Physics and years later went on to earn a MA degree in education, making it possible to teach astronomy and physics at Montgomery College in Maryland.
Mary met Daniel Martin (Marty) Corley at Catholic U. and they were married soon after graduation. Except for a brief time when they lived in Long Island, N.Y as Marty completed his research for his Ph.D. they have lived in Maryland for most of their married life, living in Rockville, MD for 50 years. Mary always had a strong attachment to Ely and visited friends and relatives there almost every year. She worked for IBM as a systems engineer; on the first moon mission with UNIVAC at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and after her children had grown, taught part-time at Montgomery College. She was also a Master Gardener and had exhibits at the National Arboretum, judged flower shows and was an officer of several garden clubs in the D.C. area. She also was president of the board for a low-income senior housing complex, cooked as a volunteer for a homeless shelter and was active in many other activities. She doted on her grandchildren, enjoyed travel, especially to flower-connected shows in the U.S. and abroad.
Because of the covid restrictions, there will be no mass or services until next spring when there will be a memorial mass and celebration of her life in Ely. Her remains will be buried in the ‘Ely cemetery near the graves of her parents.