Mary Catherine Nessan, 32, of Dubuque passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024.  Visitation will be from 2 to 3 pm Sunday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road, followed by a funeral service at 3 pm.  Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral can be found at www.stpeterdbq.org.

Mary was born May 8, 1992, in St. Louis, Missouri.  She was baptized into Jesus Christ on October 11, 1992, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Mary graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 2010, where she was an exceptional athlete and teammate in track, basketball, and volleyball. She was also a marvelous musician. Mary excelled in singing and keyboard, serving as accompanist for many years at Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City, Wisconsin.

She was a loving mother to her son, Mason, and a loving godmother to her goddaughter, Elise.  She was also a wonderful aunt and sister. As a certified medical assistant, she was very dedicated to her residents at Luther Manor.

Mary was a member of the recovery community in Dubuque and devoted the last 8 months of her life to recovery. The family thanks Mary’s counselor, doctor, sponsor, and others in the Dubuque recovery community who supported her on the journey.

Mary is survived by her son, Mason Craig Nessan-Hillery, of Dubuque; parents, Craig and Cathy Nessan of Dubuque; five siblings, Jessica Zoe (Todd) Kluck of Dubuque, Andrew Craig (Jerée) Nessan of Broomfield, Colorado, Sarah Elizabeth Nessan of Dubuque, Nathaniel Christopher (Anna) Nessan of Des Moines, and Benjamin Lee (Connie) Nessan of Dubuque; and nieces and nephews, Olivia and  Elise Kluck; Lennox Nessan; Hayden Nessan; and Betsy and Noelle Nessan. She is also survived by her significant other, Corey Ary. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Memorials may be given to the “Mary Nessan Memorial Fund” and are designated for the care and education of her son, Mason.

Deep gratitude is extended to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Dubuque and Pastor Matt Agee.