Maureen Anne LaValley-Nieratko was born on March 30, 1946 in Washington DC. She died on December 20, 2021, in Lansing, Michigan after a short battle with COVID pneumonia with her husband and daughter by her side. She recently celebrated her remission of mantle cell lymphoma after a 2 ½ year fight.
Maureen, known by many of her friends as “Mo”, grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin and graduated from Marinette Catholic Central High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee where she studied business management and accounting.
She worked as an office manager for both a dermatology and neurology medical practice over the years, and retired from Mid-Michigan Neurology in December 2015. She cherished her time working with her friends at the practices of Dr. David Kahn, Dr. Elizabeth Hutchinson, Dr. Narendra Patel and Dr. John Karakitsos.
Maureen was an avid golfer. She met her husband Paul on Master’s Sunday 1986, at Highland Hills Golf Club, and they spent their life together golfing and traveling to new courses. She was instrumental in starting the Capital Area Women’s Golf Association with her friends, Peg Lear, Pat Snow and Sue Carrow. She was a fixture on the golf course and driving range at Walnut Hills CC. She volunteered with her daughter Katie’s high school golf team, and did not miss any of her golf meets and tournaments. More recently, she was helping to teach her granddaughters to love the game.
Maureen’s kindness and vibrant presence drew people to her and comforted them – she had friends everywhere. Many people were touched by her thoughtful gestures, friendship, and never-ending energy to help others.
She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing, her Catholic faith an essential part of her life.
Maureen loved Friday night Fish Fry, all MSU Sports (Go Green!) and was a proud owner/shareholder in the Green Bay Packers.
Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Anne LaValley. Maureen is survived by her husband, Paul Nieratko; her daughter Katie Lynwood (Rex Foster); her granddaughters and loves of her life, Genevieve Foster and Penelope Foster; her brothers, Dennis LaValley, Mark LaValley (Mary), Mike LaValley (Julie) and Todd LaValley (Michelle); sisters-in-law Ann Nieratko and Barbara Nieratko-Esquivel (Roberto); and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass for Maureen will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. There will be a visitation immediately before the Funeral Mass at the Church at 10:00 AM. A lunch will follow services in Fr. Mac Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Maureen’s name to: the First Tee of Mid-Michigan; the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing; Capital Area Humane Society; MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, specifying mantle cell lymphoma research.
You may view the service by going to www.youtube.com/c/OutreachMass.com.
