OBITUARY
Jeanne M. Rimar Hanny
July 19, 1922 – January 31, 2021
Jeanne Mary Rimar Hanny lived for more than 98 years in a life that defied expectations and reflected a strong-willed excellence.
Born in Buffalo, New York in 1922 to Carl and Margaret “Pearl” McMahon, beginning as a three-year-old child, she sang and danced on the vaudeville stage and radio. Often performing with Viola Cranston at the original Shea’s, Palace and Erlanger Theaters, they were well-known in the Buffalo stage scene as the “Two Little Girls with the Big Voices.” She also worked alongside numerous national artists such as Abbott and Costello, who asked her to join them on a national vaudeville tour. Her love of music and dance continued throughout her life, and even in her final years could recall the words to every song she had ever performed.
Graduating from college at 17, she became a grammar-school teacher, who, during World War II, met an Illinois Coast Guard sailor, George Rimar. Love blossomed and marriage ensued. After George’s wartime service on the west coast, they moved back to Western New York, where George graduated from Canisius College and became a noted public accountant and a founding father of the Buffalo Sports Dinner, a prelude to the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Their union produced five children: Patrick, Kathleen, Eileen (Hettich), Brian, and Maureen. Jeanne would remark that since George gave the children their last name, she, as a McMahon, would choose their first names – all Irish. After George’s death in 1987, Jeanne married Charles “Chuck” Hanny in 1990 and found a caring husband and an additional family to love in Chuck’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was faithful to her Catholicism and participated in many volunteer endeavors including The Bison Fund, teaching CCD, Right To Life efforts and acting as a member of the Bishop’s Lay Council. A long-time member of the Buffalo Athletic Club and Twentieth Century Club, she took pleasure in quiet activities such as reading, painting, decorating, and sewing clothes for herself and others as well as more socially active pursuits including book and stock clubs, world-wide travel, golf, tennis, entertaining and appreciating a good meal – especially with ice cream or one of her home-made pies. Predeceased by her brother, local attorney, Neal McMahon, she is survived by her five children, sons-in-law Paul Hettich and Peter Mercer and daughters-in-law Kelly Rimar and Kathleen Vance, along with seven grandchildren Kathryn, Anne, Michael, Maura (Adam), Molly, Adam and Aaron, and eight great-grandchildren, Emma, Alexander, Bridget, Elizabeth, Colin, Edward, Theodore, and George. Jeanne was a woman of quiet dignity with the capacity to be a lady in any circumstance. We miss you Mom. Rest in Peace.
Relatives and friends may visit the Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home, 1671 Maple Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 on Friday (February 12, 2021) from 5-7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday (February 13, 2021) at 10AM at St. Aloysius Gonzaga RC Church, 157 Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga, NY 14215. Please assemble at church. Interment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. NYS COVID PROTOCOLS WILL BE ADHERED TO THROUGHOUT.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Schofield Care or Connect Life.
Services
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Visitation
Friday, February 12, 2021
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Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, February 13, 2021
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Committal Service
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Memories
Jeanne M. Rimar Hanny
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYDarla Bennett
February 13, 2021
What a beautiful memory of your Mom Maureen. Wonderful memories and tribute to her amazing life.
With Love,
Darla
Kathy Vance
February 13, 2021
Rest in peace. You will be missed.
Darla Bennett
February 12, 2021
Maureen, you had such a wonderful and talent Mother. So sweet and lively. Now I know where you get it. So sorry but she did have a wonderful long life.
Love to you Cathy and all your beautiful family.
Darla
Barb Sweitzer
February 12, 2021
We were deeply saddened to hear of Jeanne’s passing last week. And we are sorry to be so far away from home and unable to express our condolences in person to the entire family.
My most recent and cherished memory of Jeanne is making gravy with her at the Hettich home on Thanksgiving day a few years back. She gave me good pointers for gravy making and we had a wonderful time while doing it.
She was a beautiful and classic lady who is already greatly missed. Prayers for Jeanne and the entire family. Love you all. Barb and Skip
Judy Walters Sears
February 11, 2021
I offer my humble prayers for Jeanne and your family. My brother and I just met her the last few years and that was a blessing. She loved bright and vivid colors and certainly had an eye for fashion. Now that I have read the story of her life and enjoyed the photos I feel that I know her and appreciate her legacy. Shalom
Colette Rhoney, osf
February 11, 2021
Dear Kathy and all,
Your mother was a special person in my life and I am grateful for her presence and all that she shared with me.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I pray Jeanne's peace and her blessing upon you as she returns to the God to whom she was faithfully devoted throughout her life.
With love and sympathy,
Colette
Linda Sroka
February 11, 2021
Eileen and Family,
My sincere condolences for the passing of your mother. Based on her life story, she was a remarkable lady with a loving heart and most beautiful smile. May happy memories sustain you and bring you comfort.
May your mom rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Linda Sroka
Joyce Newman
February 11, 2021
Dear Kathy, my condolences to you on your Mom’s passing.
Carolyn Dowling
February 10, 2021
Kathy My sincere condolences on the passing of your dear Mom. I lost my Mom at 95 years of age in 2013. I know how special these dear ladies are. Your family pictures show a love of life and family and others. May memories of happy times together sustain you. Carolyn Kucharski Dowling
Dave and Mary Jo Hanny
February 8, 2021
May all the great memories you have provide comfort to you. We are happy that our Dad got to share his last years with your Mom.
Our thoughts are with all of you.
Karen Spencer
February 7, 2021
My condolences to Kathy and your siblings and extended family on the loss of your mom and grandmother. I think of you often.
Kelly Rimar
February 6, 2021
Kelly Rimar
February 6, 2021
Kelly Rimar
February 6, 2021
Colleen Burns
February 5, 2021
I’ve known Mrs. Rimar most of my life. She was a very strong woman, classy in every way. She was a devout Catholic and lived her life that way. I knew her most as a High Park mom, one of the many that raised us on the street. She was always there to watch us in the pool or help us sew clothes.
The biggest tribute I can make to Mrs. Rimar is that she raised one of my most favorite families in the world. Her wonderful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will carry on her legacy with grace.
Mrs Rimar, Say hi to my mom and all the other High Park moms with you in heaven. May you rest in peace.