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Megan Mahoney
1982 - 2023
Megan Mahoney
1982 - 2023
Obituary
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Megan Mahoney Obituary
Megan O’Reilly Hayes Mahoney passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023 after living for 3 years with unclassified sarcoma. She is survived by her beloved husband and best friend, Tom; their three beautiful children, Bridget, Jack, and Liam; and her dear father, Larry (Roberta) Hayes. Megan was preceded in death by her mother, Velma (Bohnsack) Hayes, uncle Carl Bohnsack, and grandparents Ina and Kenneth Bohnsack and Martin and Alice Hayes.
Megan grew up in St Patrick's Catholic Church in Elmwood, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2005 with a BA in English and from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009 with a master's degree in Library and Information Science. She was working at Grainger Engineering Library when she met Tom. They married a year later, in 2012, at St Matthew's Catholic Church in Champaign and welcomed Bridget in 2013. Megan and Tom moved to Emporia in 2015 when Tom accepted a position as mathematics professor at Emporia State University. Soon after, Megan began working as assistant professor and librarian at the William Allen White Library at ESU. They welcomed their sons over the following three years. Megan and Tom were active members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Parish in Emporia, assisting with marriage preparation and teaching natural family planning, and at the Didde Catholic Campus Center at ESU. Megan was awarded tenure at ESU and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2022. Megan and Tom are blessed with many friends and were well supported during Megan's illness. Megan's funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia, Kansas, at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 20, 2023. The Rosary will be recited at the church on Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. Graveside services will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis, MO Saturday morning, January 21 at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be sent to Sacred Heart School, Didde Catholic Campus Center, the Family Life Services Center at Shiloh Home for Hope, or the Ronald McDonald House of Northeast Kansas. Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801, which is in charge of arrangements.
Please click on the link below to livestream the service.
https://youtu.be/3Qe51SJR4Yw
9 Entries
Chaplain Michael Zoosman
August 4, 2023
May the beloved memory of Megan O’Reilly Hayes Mahoney be an everlasting blessing for her family and for all who were privileged to know her, and may her abiding spirit be a loving guide...always. With Heartfelt Condolences, Chaplain Michael Zoosman
Carmaine Ternes
January 25, 2023
When I was the Emporia High School Librarian, Megan engaged and welcomed EHS creative writing students to her adulting sessions and other events. Her programs were a breath of fresh air that included students of all interests and abilities. We were fortunate to experience Megan's zest for learning and willingness to accept everyone with open arms.
Praying for peace!
David & Lorrie Langille
January 20, 2023
Moving funeral mass for a special person - thanks for livestreaming
Jen Stengel
January 20, 2023
Such a pure heart. Such a pure soul. Love, comfort, wisdom, strength, grounding, joyful chuckles and steadfast friendship emanating from Megan all the time. As she created and surrounded herself with so much love on Earth, I know she is now surrounded by so much love in Heaven, and even now still sending us all divine love. Megan, you have influenced my life more than I realized and been such a role model. I hold you in my heart always. Love, Jen
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Margaret Lewis
January 18, 2023
I first met Megan when she was a library science graduate student. Working with her at the math library I soon became aware of what a bright capable person she was. I was delighted when she met and then married Tom Mahoney one of our math graduate students. She brought tiny Bridget to the math library for us to meet. Soon of course she was off pursuing career and family goals but we stayed in touch. When she was pregnant with Liam she stayed at my house in Wentzville to attend a family wedding. We had a chance to have one of those kind of talks that you don’t have often about faith. She was so able to talk comfortably about her beliefs and conveyed such joy in her life.
I am so sorry that her young family will be without her. In deep sympathy for your loss.
Judy Beran
January 18, 2023
I am so very sorry for your loss and am praying that after her struggle, she will rest in peace in the arms of our God
Darlene Tagler
January 17, 2023
So very sorry for your loss.
Patty DeGonia
January 17, 2023
MY Heart is broken she was a treasure to us all. My prayers and wonderful memories are with you always. A dear friend that will never be forgotten.
Elaine Crawford
January 16, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. I loved your mother and you so much. I’m so glad we got to spend some time together when you were in St. Louis. Praying for your wonderful father.
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605 State Street, Emporia, KS 66801
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