Mary Elizabeth (Mines) Sheeran, age 74, passed away on April 18, 2025, with her daughter and son-in-law at her bedside. Mary was born in St. Peter, MN on May 24, 1950 to John and Ardella Mines. She grew up as the only sister to her six brothers: Chuck, Jim, Dan, Dave, Steve, and Terry. She graduated from St. Peter High School in 1968. Mary was known for her generosity, compassion, and life of service to others. She was a proud “hippie,” Beatles fanatic, and free spirit. Mary advocated for others her whole life. She celebrated diversity, was sensitive to global issues, and prayed for world peace. Mary had a deep love of learning, and especially loved learning about other cultures and languages. She had a profound reverence for the indigenous people of North America. Mary appreciated all kinds of music and art, and collected unique art pieces and instruments from around the world.
Mary was married to Paul Sheeran on July 5, 1975 for 26 years. Mary was a devoted mother to her two children, Marisa and Jesse. With her family, Mary enjoyed camping, renovating houses, riding her horses, spending time on Madeline Island (WI), and traveling to visit relatives across the U.S.A.
Mary was a natural leader and mentor. She started her professional career as a Child Protection Social Worker in Brown County, MN, after earning her BSW in 1980 from UMN-Mankato. She went on to earn her Master’s in Sociology in 1984, another Master’s (School Social Work) in 1987, and a third Master’s (MSW) years later from the University of St. Thomas. Mary was a School Social Worker for Albert Lea Public Schools for about 12 years, and was named District 241’s Teacher of the Year in 1991. She was UMN-Mankato’s Alumnae of the Year in 1992. Mary started working at Mayo Clinic as an LICSW in 1998, where she supervised and counseled in the Intensive Addiction Program. She was an adjunct social work professor at Winona State-Rochester Center in her “spare time.” She then worked as a therapist in Mayo Clinic’s Department of Psychiatry and Psychology until her retirement. Mary also provided clinical supervision to many social work students throughout her career, and even after her retirement, which was a role she cherished.
Mary adored her friends, neighbors, and family, and talked often of the many close relationships she had with so many people. She especially loved her “Adventure Club” gang, and her special friends from the United Arab Emirates. Mary was immensely proud of her granddaughter Maggie, to whom she was incredibly close, and her face would always light up whenever she saw her great-grandson, Isaiah.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, John and Della, and three of her brothers, Chuck, Jim, and Dan. She is survived by her daughter, Marisa (Tony) Luna of Rochester, MN; son Jesse Sheeran of Tijuana, Mexico; granddaughter Magnolia Sheeran and great-grandson Isaiah Sheeran of Rochester, MN. She is also survived by three brothers, David Mines, Steve (Marguerite) Mines, and Terry (Donna) Mines, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Interment of Mary’s ashes will be conducted by her immediate family at a future date. In lieu of flowers, Mary would love donations in her memory to Amnesty International, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Public Radio, or Public Broadcasting Service.
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