Mary A. Daily, age 86, completed the journey to her eternal home October 16, 2025. She is now at peace with the Lord. Mary was a loving person of great faith, loyal, kind, and generous of heart and spirit. For her daughter and caregiver, Catherine, the loss is immeasurable. Mary will be greatly missed by her treasured friends who supported her especially in the final months of her multiple experiences with cancer. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from McNicholas High School, Edgecliff College, and Xavier University.
Mary valued close personal relationships and gave of herself willingly and selflessly for family and friends. Through her example she imparted a value for education and hard work to her six children who she raised while earning a master’s degree in Psychology. She retired from the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn (ROD) Special Education Cooperative as a school psychologist and remained active as a member, volunteer, and financial supporter of the Ripley County Retired Teachers Association.
Mary was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Family Church in Oldenburg. She found her spiritual home with the community of Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, however, where she enjoyed faith, love, friendship, support and peacefulness. She regularly attended mass and prayer services at the Sisters’ Chapel. She is deeply grateful for the blessing of having her funeral Mass celebrated in the Sisters’ Chapel.
Mary’s generosity and kindness were boundless. In addition to her volunteer work with the Retired Teachers Association, she donated numerous handmade quilts, as well as crocheted blankets, scarves and wash cloths, to several organizations and causes. She also volunteered for many years providing food to the Holy Family Church Bereavement Committee. Mary took great joy in performing random acts of kindness, most of which were done anonymously. She also felt blessed to be able to financially support multiple faith-based and educational organizations throughout her life.
One of the greatest joys in Mary’s life was her beloved little buddy, Max, a Yorkshire Terrier. Mary was gifted at numerous crafts, but especially enjoyed hand quilting. Other joys included playing Quiddler and Scrabble, especially with Catherine and Dan, reading, “field trips” with Catherine, who deeply loves and misses her, and lunches and outings with friends.
Mary’s courage, grace, and determination in the face of her multiple diagnoses and journey with cancer are strong testament to her faith, strength, resiliency, and positive approach to life when faced with adversity. She did not journey alone and her gratitude for those who blessed her with prayers, love, support, friendship, and care are immeasurable. Special thanks to Dr. Sarah McMullen and her care team, Susan and the Margaret Mary Health Hospice team, and the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg Community who sustained her faith and raised her spirits in numerous ways. Her journey ended peacefully with her daughter and best friend, Catherine, by her side.
Visitation is Monday, October 20th from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a funeral Mass following at the Sisters of St. Francis Chapel, Oldenburg, IN. A private burial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, 22143 Main Street, Oldenburg, IN 47036 or brought to the services.
Please share a memory or message of comfort for Mary’s family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.