Mary E. Riedy passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024 – just weeks shy of her 101st birthday on June 19th. Her life was marked by family, faith, travel, music, a rewarding career and an indomitable spirit. Mary was raised in the rural heartland of Mazomanie, Wisconsin. As the eldest daughter in a family of eight children, she learned the value of hard work. Her parents instilled in her a passion for learning and a spirit of independence which she carried through her life. Mary’s professional path was groundbreaking. She channeled her teaching talents into founding Happy Time Nursery School on the lower level of her home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin after moving when her husband, Jerry Riedy, accepted a position as the Jefferson County Extension Agent. She established an educational and social development program for 3- and 4-year-olds who attended 2 to 3 times per week. As demand increased, she added more classes and eventually opened a second school in nearby Jefferson, Wisconsin. Over the next 39 years, she helped shape the young lives of 4,000 students.
While operating her successful business, Mary raised three children, Becky, Maureen and Dan, and returned to college to complete her BS at UW-Platteville and her MS in Early Childhood Education at UW-Whitewater. Mary became a leader in early childhood education in the state and organized the Private Pre-school Association of Wisconsin. She served on several state educational boards and was a frequent speaker at early childhood conferences. She also taught parenting classes and early childhood educators at the local vocational school and published 20 booklets on early childhood parenting which were distributed by Nasco Education in Fort Atkinson. Mary was honored as Outstanding Business & Professional Woman of Jefferson County in 1985.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mary was active in many community organizations and St. Joseph Catholic Church where she served on the school board for 10 years. She also sang in the church choir for over 40 years. She championed local arts and was instrumental in bringing an orchestra program to Fort Atkinson schools and served on the local branch of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for 11 years. Mary was an avid Bridge player and loved to read, write poetry and sew. She traced the family genealogy, authoring “The Swiss Roots” as well as publishing a cookbook with family lore and favorite recipes. Mary’s adventuresome spirit took her across European countries, Mexico and Canada nearly all 50 states in the USA, yet she always returned to her cherished stately English Tudor home in Fort Atkinson and her idyllic summer retreat near Minocqua. One of Mary’s favorite activities was adorning red from head to toe and cheering for her beloved Wisconsin Badgers. She never missed watching a Badger football game whether in the stands or at home.
Mary is the devoted mother of Becky Connelly (Mike), Maureen Shutvet (Dave), and Dan Riedy. Grandmother of Sean Connelly (Christina), Meghan Loepfe (Will), Kaley Ventura (Kevan), Erik Shutvet, Krista Buchholz (Dominick), Nina Riedy and Mackenzie Riedy. Great-grandmother of Liam, Caiden and Pierson Connelly, Rowan and Ruthie Loepfe, and Leo and Lilly Ventura. Mary is preceded in death by her husband Jerome Riedy, and 6 of her 7 siblings – John (Alena), late Josephine Heyden (late Don), late Paul (late Lynn), late Leonard (Lynn), late Frank “Sonny” (late Eva), late June Brunner (late John), and late Lucy Hillestad (late Donald). Her love extended to over 75 nieces and nephews, many of whom have fond childhood memories of delighting in the joy of playing in Mary’s preschool. Her remarkable legacy lives on through her loving family and friends, contributions to early education and countless lives she touched.
Please send your warm thoughts and memories of Mary. We would love to hear how she impacted and enriched your life.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, June 1st from 10-11am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1660 Endl Blvd. Fort Atkinson, WI. 53538 followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Rainbow Hospice.
Mary E. Riedy
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Mrs Riedy was our angel at a time when my husband and I were looking for a “just-right” preschool for our son with special needs. She welcomed us in and remained positive and incredibly kind to our child and us during some pretty trying times. We will forever be grateful for her positivity and generous spirit❤️
Our condolences to the family. She was a wonderful educator and person! God bless all of you.
Both of my girls went to preschool At Marys house. She was always such a nice teacher. Thoughts and prayers are with her kids and rest of the family.
I loved Happy Time nursery school and Mrs Reidy’s kindness. I sent all 3 of my boys to her preschool. Her daughter Becky was their teacher. I felt the boy got a good start to their schooling.