Memorial

Mary M. Hanlon, 101, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held the next day, Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:30 AM at All Saints Catholic Church. A private committal will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Mary was born to Joseph and Ida (Zahina) Hein on December 9, 1924, in Dubuque, Iowa. She was raised in Dubuque and graduated from IC Academy.

Shortly after graduating, she started working at the Adams Company in town. Later, Mary was employed at the Elks Club, also in Dubuque. She worked there for some time as a cook, while she was a young mother. Upon moving to Cedar Rapids with her family, she began selling World Book Encyclopedias to schools and families; making new connections in the Cedar Rapids area. She later worked at Armstrong’s Department Store and eventually retired from Armstrong’s in the late 80’s. 

On May 11, 1946, Mary married Matthew E. Hanlon. They were lifelong friends and met when they were very young. At age eight, Matthew said that they would be married one day; and they were. Together they had five children; Matthew, Janice, Ida Mae, Mary Jo, and Patricia. 

Mary and Matthew shared many wonderful memories with their family. Their children remember all their time spent at the cottage off the Mississippi growing up. Mary loved to fish, something she learned from her mother, and passed down to her own children. She cooked everything she caught; providing good food for everyone at the cottage. Whether at home, or up at the cottage, the family never had to eat out because of Mary’s delicious cooking. 

Mary’s children grew up around the card table and learned from her, and other masters, how to play many games. Mary showed them no mercy, and won at canasta, euchre, poker, Yahtzee, and others, many times over.

Hearty meals and card game skills were not the only thing Mary provided her family with. She learned to sew and started making clothes for her children, including wedding dresses for her daughters, and dresses for the bridesmaids.

Mary always had a good spirit about her. Her humor carried her through many years in different care centers. 

Mary is survived by her children, Matthew Hanlon (Lisa Ferretti), Patty (Mike) Hanlon, and Janice (Steven) Hahn; her son-in-law, Bob Votrobeck; and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Hanlon; her daughters, Ida Mae Barker and Mary Jo Votrobeck; her grandson, Andrew Eganhouse; her eight siblings; and her parents. 

The family would like to thank Garnett Place and Hospice of Mercy for their care of Mary.