Mrs. Towey, 74, of Rochester, MN, died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at her residence after a courageous battle with cancer. Marlene was born January 26, 1944 in Rochester, MN to Francis and Phoebe (McConnell) O’Connell.
She graduated from Lourdes High School in 1962. On April 1, 1967, she married Jerome A. Towey at St. Bridget’s Church in Simpson, MN. The couple was stationed with the Navy in Pensacola, FL, Norfolk, VA, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; before settling in Rochester in 1978. She worked as a cook and custodian in the Rochester School District. Marlene volunteered at the Dorothy Day House.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Towey; son, Jerome Towey of Rochester; 3 daughters, Wanda (Mike) Nienow, Sarah (Tracy Culp) Towey, and Phoebe Towey, all of Rochester; 5 grandchildren, Grace (Steven) Rysted, Caity Nienow, Miranda Towey, Donovan Towey, and Victoria Nienow; sisters Theresa Helgerson of Rochester, Phoebe Whistler of Mesa, AZ, and brother Charles O’Connell, of Boulder City, NV. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son James (Jim) Towey; sisters, Mary Bischoff, Sister Conal O’Connell, Elaine Stokes, Catherine Fitzgerald, Rosella Jech, and Alice Fuhrmeister; brothers Walter, John, Nickolas, Clarence, Richard, and Edward O’Connell.
Marlene had strong faith and values, enjoyed volunteering, baking special treats for her family (especially cinnamon rolls and coffee cake), having coffee with her sisters, and spending time with her family.
Marlene’s memorial Mass will be at 11:00am on Friday May 25, 2018 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church with Father John Wilmot officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her service at the church on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day House, Season’s Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
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