Mary Carol "MC" Niland

Nampa - Mary Carol (MC) Niland was born January 5, 1950, to John Francis and Mary Carol (Riordan) Niland. She joined two brothers, John Francis, Jr. and Kevin Patrick. Later, two additional brothers, Terence Michael and Patrick Anthony and one sister, Maureen Ellen would join the family.

Mary Carol attended St. Paul's Catholic school, West Junior High, Nampa High School and Gonzaga University where she made many lifelong friends and graduated with honors. She participated in Gonzaga's junior year abroad program which allowed her to live in Italy and travel widely. This experience ignited a love of travel which continued throughout her life.

Later she furthered her education, receiving her Masters in Rehabilitation through Seattle University and Masters in Rehabilitation Administration at the University of San Francisco. Mary was a lifelong proponent of education and was proud of her association with three Jesuit universities.

After graduating, Mary worked for a short time for the Department of Health and Welfare Children's Developmental program. She left the Department in 1974 to found Witco Inc., a non-profit organization providing services for people with disabilities. Under her guidance, Witco expanded its Mission to provide services in both Idaho and Oregon. She remained President and CEO of Witco, Inc. until her retirement in 2016.

Mary was a vocal and tireless advocate, not only for people with disabilities, but for anyone marginalized by society. She was a lifelong democrat but was respected and worked closely with both parties. She was instrumental in getting legislation passed that paved the way for individuals with disabilities to experience the dignity of work.

Mary was invited to be a member of two trade missions, traveling to China with Governor John Evans and to South America with Governor Cecil Andrus. She was appointed to the Third Judicial Court Magistrate Commission by Governor Andrus and re-appointed by Governor Batt. When serving as Chair of the Nampa Chamber of Commerce she became instrumental in the passing of the initiative that created the College of Western Idaho (CWI). As such, she was appointed as a founding trustee by Governor Butch Otter. Throughout her career, she served on the Boards of KeyBank, DL Evans, Treasure Valley Transit, Regence Blue Shield, and on the Boise Airport Commission. She was a member of Caldwell Soroptimists, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Holy Order of the Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Mary hosted many events, holiday and birthday dinners and was always ready to begin a new adventure. She loved watching the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Green Bay Packers. Above all though, Mary treasured her Catholic faith, her family and friends and her Irish heritage. She will be missed beyond measure.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, John, mother Mary (Riordan), and brother Kevin. She is survived by brothers, John, T. Michael and Dr. Patrick Niland; and sister, Maureen (William) Stokes. Nieces and nephews, John, Sean, Brian, Kevin, Colin and Sebastian Niland, Maureen (Zac) Gavin and Tessa Houston, Michelle Raven, Liam (Natalie) and Rory Stokes, Keenan (Victoria) Simmons, and Laika (Caden) and Icelyn Webb.

Services: Rosary services will be held Friday, September 5 at 9:30am at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Nampa. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held following the Rosary at 10:00am. Graveside rites will be held immediately following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Nampa Civic Center. Arrangements by Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obituary is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

Memorials may be given to the Witco Mary C. Niland Foundation, or St. Paul's Education Foundation.