Mary Christina Healy Steele

Mary Christina Healy Steele was born February 24, 1932 in Sligo, Ireland, the daughter of John and Christina Healy. She grew up on a farm and was educated by the Ursuline Sisters in Sligo. She followed her sister into nursing, first in Dublin and then to Kings College in London, England. She immigrated to America in 1960, coming to Columbus, via Anne and Joe Ryan. Later, through church, she met her husband, Herbert Lyman Steele, of Columbus. They were married September 12, 1964, at the Church of the Holy Family, and remained married until his death in 1995. They were members of Saint Anne Parish and Mary was active in the church to include the Parrish Council of Catholic Women. She also helped found the Northgate Garden Club.

Mary began a 39 year career of nursing at Saint Francis Hospital, first for many years at OB, delivering many babies in Columbus until that department was shut down in 1981. For the remainder of her career Mary was in charge of Central Supply at Saint Francis until her retirement in 1999. After retirement she remained active in church life and the Saint Francis Auxiliary.

She is survived by son, Richard Steele and daughter, Mary Anne Steele Arata, her husband Kevin Arata; sisters, Agnes McGoldrick (Noel), Una Hamilton (John) and Eileen O’Gara all of Ireland and her grandchildren Patrick Arata and Katherine Arata, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. Steele and sisters, Anne Ryan and Evelyn Lavin.

The family wishes to thank Spring Harbor for many years of enjoyable times and Columbus Hospice for wonderful care at the end of her life. The family also wishes to thank neighbors and friends for a lifetime of memories that will be cherished in the days ahead.

A Rosary will be said for Mary Christina Healy Steele on Friday, August 26, 2016 in Striffler-Hamby’s Edgewood Hall at 6:00 PM, with visitation afterwards until 8:00 PM. Her funeral mass will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907 on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11:00 AM with burial to follow in Parkhill Cemetery.

Online condolences can be sent to her family at www.shcolumbus.com