Mary Eileen "Mooney" Bauer

Mary Eileen Bauer (Mooney) passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on September 13, 2025, in Dallas, Texas with her family by her side. She was born December 11, 1941, in Wichita, Kansas, the youngest of four children, to Michael J. and Margaret Mooney (Hamilton).

The first several years of her life, Mary grew up on her family's farm in Stafford County. What she remembered most about it was her favorite dog, Joe, a Newfoundland, who she adored. Around the age of five, they moved the farmhouse to Hutchinson, Kansas when Mary's father took over the family business, Hamilton Roofing. Shortly thereafter, Mary contracted polio, and after enduring a lengthy and difficult treatment, she was fortunate to have survived without lasting effects.

Her family was a long-time member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and later joined Church of the Holy Cross. Mary attended St. Teresa High School where she and her older sister, Margaret Ann, were cheerleaders. After graduating in 1959, she briefly attended Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Kansas City with friends.

In August 1963, she married her beloved husband, Philip M. Bauer, and moved to Boston where they later welcomed their first child, Courtney (1966). In 1967, they settled in Dallas, Texas, where Phil began working for Collins Radio. During this time, they met John and Jackie Earls who became lifelong friends. When Phil's career offered him an opportunity to live and work in Norway for an extended period in the mid-1970s, Mary adjusted to life overseas and enjoyed exploring and shopping throughout Norway and Sweden. They returned to Texas in 1975. In those years, Mary enjoyed playing tennis with Phil and friends, visiting family, and raising Courtney.

Later, their family expanded, adding Ryan (1976) and Megan (1978), and they moved to Plano, Texas, where they would make their home for the next 48 years. Over the years the family thrived, thanks in large part to Mary's indomitable spirit, boundless love and unyielding devotion. She was a fierce protector of her children and a source of strength for her family.

Mary also had a very close bond with her two older sisters that often involved late nights of endless laughing, mornings filled with coffee, cinnamon rolls and Sara Lee coffee cakes, and days on end of marathon shopping trips. Their bond was unparalleled. Mary was known for her quick wit and masterful timing, but when the three sisters were together, she was in her element – their humor and joy radiated to everyone around them. Mary's laugh had a unique, unmistakable quality - bright, infectious and full of life.

Mary had a gift for enjoying life and delighted in sharing the little pleasures she had discovered with her children and grandchildren. She did not hesitate to indulge them or herself whenever the opportunity arose. Whether it was a new Christmas decoration or adding a splash of whole cream to a bowl of cereal, she seized the opportunity. She lived life to the fullest without regrets.

Mary often combined her enjoyment of shopping with her deep love of the Christmas holiday season. Those who knew her, undoubtedly will remember that Christmas and the joy of the season were one of her greatest passions. She loved nothing more than decorating the house, baking endless holiday treats and painstakingly fulfilling her family's wish lists. Mary carried with her the magic of Christmas morning and endeavored to share that with her children and grandchildren. She worked tirelessly to make each Christmas the best in every way.

Mary was a devoted wife to Phil for 62 years, a loving mother and a cherished grandmother. She prioritized family above all else. Her generosity and kindness knew no limits. As the years went on, she experienced a difficult physical decline that she endured with courage, grace and extraordinary resilience. Despite this, she rarely complained. In her final days, when the intensive care doctor came to deliver the results of a critical test, Mary looked at him and said softly, "You should go home – you must be tired." He held her hand and was visibly touched by her kindness. Mary was selfless to the very end, always more concerned with the comfort and needs of those around her than with her own.

She will be dearly missed.

She leaves behind her husband, Philip; her daughters, Courtney (Matthew) and Megan (Suzanne); her son, Ryan (Kate); grandchildren, Zoey, Siobhan, Graeme, Eiley, August and Mae; her sister, Margaret Ann Hohl; nieces, nephews and other relatives in Texas and Kansas, brother-in-law, Michael Bauer (Jeanette) and lifelong friends, John and Jacqueline Earls.

Preceding her in death are her parents, sister, Helen Louise Mullen, and brother, Michael Mooney.

Parish Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

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Eulogy written by daughter Courtney Bauer for her mother's service.

The heart and mind often fight for center stage. Megan, Ryan, and I kept telling ourselves that death-especially a long and painful decline-was an end to Mom's physical suffering. But our hearts cried out: Not my mommy. She can't leave me.

While I don't enjoy public displays of emotion, I believe these words must be spoken, even with a shaky voice and tears. It's important to honor her and document her life, because her success was not measured in degrees, titles, or fortunes. Instead, it was something far greater: she nurtured, she lived with passion, and-most importantly-she loved fiercely and deeply.

Everyone who knew my mom, and even those who only crossed her path briefly, felt her nurturing spirit. As a child, when I was sick, she was the very best caregiver-bringing me an icy 7-Up, a grilled-cheese sandwich with tomato soup made with milk and tucking me in with my favorite afghan. She checked on me often, and if Tylenol didn't help with the pain, she'd even give me a shot of whiskey.

Her care extended to animals, too. She teared up every time Sarah McLachlan's ASPCA commercial played and couldn't resist adopting strays. Before long, they had their shots, a shiny collar, and a forever home. Bart, Jonah, Emily, Suki, Betsy, Stella, Franny, and O'Malley truly hit the jackpot.

Even as her health declined, her generosity only grew. The night before she died, a doctor came to deliver difficult news about her weakened swallow reflex and its impact on the lungs. After a long silence, Mom looked at him and said, "You should go home-you must be very tired." He surprisingly took her hand. She said, "It must be hard to deliver bad news. It's okay. It's my time to die." Even then, she thought first of others.

Mom also had a true passion for living. Some of her happiest times were with her sisters, Helen Louise and Margaret Ann. They would stay up all night laughing and shopping all day, fueled by cinnamon rolls, See's candy, and endless coffee and Pepsi. As fun as those outings were, they couldn't compare to Christmas, when all the cousins, aunts, and uncles gathered in joy and celebration.

Mom also had a mischievous side. She had a long-standing love of smoking. In her sixties, she finally quit, but for a while she hid it from us. My dad eventually uncovered her secret after noticing a strange bruise across her midriff. He questioned her, and she repeatedly gave vague answers. Finally she confessed, she'd been leaning halfway out the bedroom window to smoke so the smell wouldn't permeate the room.

More than anything, my mom loved fiercely. She was our most loyal defender, always putting her children first. Though raised traditionally, she gave us the freedom to be ourselves, deferring to her unconditional love of her children as her true north.

Her love and dedication were the heart of our family. And when her health declined, my dad who was not known for his homemaking skills at the time, took it all on-taking her to every doctor's appointment, managing her many medications, keeping the house, and making sure the Hallmark Channel was always on. Their devotion to each other deepened, and we all became more loving because of it.

Mom made sure we never left without a hug and an "I love you." Her dying wish wasn't for candy, jewelry, or possessions. Instead, her final request was: "Be sweet to each other."

And that's how we honor her best-not just today, but every day-by living with the same love, generosity, and sweetness she gave to us all.