Mary E. Warren

The Warren family sadly announces the death of their beloved mother and grandmother, Mary Warren, who passed away peacefully on September 25, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her kindness, love and "always on" smile will be missed by all.

Mary Elizabeth (“Bish’’) Dougherty was born on July 9, 1930, in Chester, PA, the baby sister to the three brothers she adored. She graduated from Notre Dame High School and went on to attend Immaculata University. After receiving her BA in Economics in 1953, she then attended Temple University and earned an MS in Education. Following her time at Temple, Mary taught second grade at her home parish of St. Robert's.

On a group date, she met a Chicago boy named Jim Warren. Although each of them had been set up with someone else, serendipity stepped in when they ran into each other weeks later on the same commuter train. Jim quickly became the love of her life and they married July 25, 1959 and enjoyed 59 years together. The Warrens’ pride and joy were the five children that soon followed. Mary demonstrated her dedication to her children by becoming a dedicated stay-at-home mother, always active in her children's lives as a Cub Scout leader, lunchroom mother or the most enthusiastic cheerleader in the stands at their sporting events. She especially loved her role as "GrandMary," the nickname given to her by her seven grandchildren.

Family was the center of Mary’s life. She fondly remembered growing up in a multi-generational household, even though she struggled to understand her grandmother’s Irish brogue. She created this environment throughout her life with children, grandchildren and a unique ability to find something in common with anyone she met. Everyone she encountered was struck by her desire to engage with the person immediately in front of her and, with a winning smile and a twinkle in her eye, ask one or two well-placed questions that uncovered common experience or mutual friends. From her daughter’s friends who still remember Mary getting stuck in a college dorm with them during a snowstorm, to caregivers who encountered her later in life, everyone remembers Mary’s ability to connect with people and make them family. Those images endure and continue to be celebrated.

Mary and Jim shared a love for travel and combined this with their love of family to take a lot of memorable trips. Whether to the Florida Panhandle or an exotic international location, the Warrens made the effort to travel both as a couple and with as many family members as they could muster. Mary claimed to be afraid to fly, but the stamps in her passport showed that the desire to go somewhere new overcame that fear.

Mary lived her entire life as a devout Catholic and actively volunteered in numerous parishes throughout her life. She taught Catholic education, sponsored those wanting to join the church, organized the eucharistic ministers, and even enthusiastically ironed the church vestments. When the Church called, her answer was always “yes.”

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary McGinley Dougherty and James Francis Dougherty, her loving husband Jim, and their son Timmy. She is survived by her children, Dan (Lynn) Warren of Atlanta, Beth Kilguss of Charlotte, Anne Warren of Atlanta and Jim (Melinda) Warren of Claremont CA. She is also survived by her seven beloved grandchildren: Andrew Warren, Katy Warren, David Kilguss, Anna Kilguss, Charlie Warren, Jack Warren and Caroline Warren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA 30075 on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 10:30AM. The mass can also be viewed on-line: https://stpeterchanel.org/worship/live-stream Immediately following mass, will be the Commital at Green Lawn Cemetery also in Roswell.

In lieu of flowers, the Warren family requests donations to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund (https://curealz.org) or Father Beiting's Appalachian ministry (www.fbamc-ky.org).