Mary Catherine Lawless

Mary Catherine McLain Lawless, age 88 years, passed away on April 11, 2016 in Baton Rouge, LA. Mary is survived by her husband of 57 years, Walter Nicholas Lawless, Jr. (Nick); her son Paul Lawless, daughter-in-law Erin Lawless (Riley), grand-daughters Maeve and Caroline; daughter Teresa Missildine, and grand-children Cassidy, Kaitlin and Nicole. She was preceded in death by her father Francis Xavier McLain, her mother Catherine Esther McLain (Walsh) and her two brothers Robert Francis McLain and William Charles McLain. Mary was a native of Saint Joseph, MO and lived significant parts of her life in Kansas City and finally Baton Rouge. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Administration from Avila College in Kansas City, MO and a Master's Degree in Counseling from Louisiana State University. Out of high School, she enlisted in the US Navy WAVES and entered the US Naval Reserves as women were incorporated into the US Navy in the late 1940's. She served as a Yeoman. While in Kansas City, she worked for several branches of the Federal Government to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration. After moving to Baton Rouge she worked at Louisiana State University in the office of the English Language and Orientation Program and as an accountant for LSU's Wetland Resources Institute, Coastal Studies Research Institute and finally Accounting Services before retiring. In the 1980's, she worked as a weekend Hot-Line Councilor for the Baton Rouge Battered Women's Program assisting women in getting out of bad situations. She enjoyed the arts through her entire life and attended many plays, musicals and concerts. She always enjoyed the latest mystery novel and kept up with those her entire life. Mary always enjoyed cards, Scrabble and most every board game and never minded 'losing' to her children and grandchildren. She was an avid social bridge player and always enjoyed hosting friends for an evening of cards. She was an active sports fan cheering for the Chiefs while in Kansas City and the LSU Tigers football and Men's and Women's basketball teams after moving to Baton Rouge. Above all, she enjoyed being a wife, a mother and a grandmother to her family. She will be sorely missed. Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at St Jean Vianney Catholic Church at 16166 S Harrell's Ferry Road on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, with Mass beginning at 12:30 PM. Officiant will be Father Tom Ranzino. Burial will be in Kansas. Family and friends may sign the online guest book or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.