Mary "Mae" French

Mary Elizabeth "Mae" French, 95, of Yankton, SD, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020, at Avera St. James Care Center,Yankton, SD.

Born November 8, 1924 in Manor Hamilton, Ireland, she was a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (McPartlin) McGuinness.

Mary had a very strong Catholic faith and attended Mass at her nursing home every day.

She came to America in 1951, and lived in Buffalo, NY.  She married her husband, Tom, in 1956. Mary was a remarkable cook and cooked in several restaurants during her life.  She also enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and was known for her bread and cinnamon rolls. Mary really enjoyed watching sports. She had a loving and warm personality and made friends wherever she went. She always had a smile on her face.

She is survived by her daughters, Marlene (Robert) Welch of Wattersonville, Minnie (Ted Chandler) Chivas of Anaheim, CA, and Tina French of Yankton, SD; her sons, John (Sherry Jaurrieta) French of Faxon, OK, and William (Terri Swinnie) French of Paramount, CA; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Rose O'Donnell of South Hackensack, NJ, Kitty Harrison of Ireland, Sarah Connelly of Ireland, and Susan Cushen of Ireland.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas French; a daughter, Darlene French; brothers, John, Tom, and James McGuinness; an infant brother, Peter McGuinness; sisters, Anna Crombie and Margaret Dillon; and an infant sister Theresa McGuinness.

Friends will be welcomed from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, in the Welch Funeral Home, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City.  Prayers of transfer will be offered at 10:30 a.m., Monday, in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., at Christ, Prince of Peace Church, with Father Alan Grote as celebrant.  Interment will follow in Ford City Cemetery.  To send an online condolence, please visit www.welchfh.com.

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