Mary Kathleen Reuwer

Our Lord Jesus called Mary Kathleen Murray Reuwer home on January 23, 2019, from the bosom of her large, extended family. This spirit-filled, loveable Catholic lady birthed and raised two daughters, Kathy and Trisha, to womanhood along with seven sons, Mike, John, Steve, David, Chris, Ken, and Tom, to manhood, with her life-long love and husband of 67 years, Milton. Her children gave her special purpose in life which she consecrated in full-time motherhood. She introduced each to Jesus by her words, prayers, and life example. On spiritual matters, she taught us how to read scripture and to pray as she practiced both daily.

Kathleen has “been here a long time” since her Baltimore birth on December 19, 1926 to Neva Myer Murray and Francis Guy Murray. God used this charismatic, beautiful girl born into an obscure, working-class, Scots-Irish-English family to build an extraordinary family legacy of her own, filled with character, intelligence, and grace. Kathleen took delight and pleasure in their offspring of 35 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

Kathleen’s strengths in virtue were relationships and mercy. She connected easily with almost everyone, and was always more ready to forgive than to punish. Her earthly life was fun and holy, not marred by false piety. Everyone seemed to admire her faith. Her large body of friends attests to her smile, happiness, generosity, and grace, which she easily and freely shared with everyone in and out of her home. She was always emotionally available for others, to laugh with them, to cry with them, to feel with them, to pray with them, and to be present with them.

Kathleen was a member of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Bel Air, Maryland, and volunteered her time there and for different organizations. She was intercessory by nature; her loving presence was extra ordinary to all whom she touched. This was especially true in her final months when she maintained her sense of humor, her joy, and eternal optimism, even as she had to surrender her energy and independence to age. We share the joy of the angels as they receive her around God’s throne today.

Relatives and friends may gather at Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, Inc. 610 W. MacPhail Rd. Bel Air, MD 21014 on Monday from 10 to 11:30 AM at which time the Rosary will be recited. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church 141 N. Hickory Ave. Bel Air, MD 21014 on Monday at 12:30 PM. Interment New Cathedral Cemetery on Tuesday at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to KNOM Radio Mission (P.O. Box 190649 Anchorage, Alaska 99519 or www.knom.org) which was a special cause dear to Kathleen.