Mary D. Sweeney

Aug. 18, 1911 - Nov. 30, 2008

Mary D. Sweeney, a resident of Torrance for the past 55 years, died at her home Sunday, Nov. 30, after a long illness. She was 97 years old.

Born on Aug. 18, 1911 in Riverton, Ill., Mrs. Sweeney was the third of eight children of Czechoslovakian immigrants George and Marie Durako.

After growing up in the Midwest, she married Frank J. Sweeney on Jan. 17, 1942 in Davenport, Iowa. During World War II the couple had two sons, Frank Jr. and George.

In 1952, the family moved from Springfield, Ill., to Southern California. The following year, they purchased a home in Torrance where Mrs. Sweeney lived the rest of her life.

Mrs. Sweeney was a member of St. Lawrence Martyr Church in Redondo Beach.

Her husband, a retired aerospace electrician, died in 1986. She is survived by her sons, Frank Jr. of San Jose and George of Palos Verdes Estates; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Sweeney of San Jose; her sister, Julia Belongia of Green Bay, Wis.; her sister-in-law, Della Sciascia of Anahiem; and her longtime caregiver, Cecilia Ortega of Torrance. She also leaves a number of nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

A vigil will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at McCormick Mortuary, 1998 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, with Rosary services at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 1900 S. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.