Mary Hendrickson

MADISON - Mary Rose Hendrickson, age 84, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016. She was born December 17, 1931 to Eugene and Mildred (Martin) Downey. Mary grew up in Madison, and attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Edgewood High School. She married Jim Rose in 1954 and they were blessed with six children. Jim died in 1961 and Mary continued to raise her six children with loving devotion. While raising her children, she earned a degree in Primary Education from Edgewood College. She was a special education teacher in the Madison area and at the Madison Preschool of the Arts. Mary was musically gifted and played piano at the Madison Elks Club and taught piano lessons for a number of years. She was the first organist at the newly formed St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and also played at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. In 1990, she married Harry Hendrickson and moved to Milwaukee working as a Music Therapist and certified Activity Director for a senior living facility. Following Harry's death in 1992, she returned to the Madison area and remained active in her children's, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's lives. Mary loved spending time with her family and friends. Mary is survived by her six children, Jim Rose (Terri) Waunakee, Terry Little (Terry) Madison, Cathy Baer (Michael) Madison, Colleen Gigioli (Tony) Laurel, MD, Mike Rose, Madison, and Maureen LaBreche (John) Madison. Mary is also survived by her brothers, Bob Downey (Mary Lou) and Paul Downey (Mary Harbort); fourteen grandchildren, Brad Rose (Jill), Josh Rose (Ashley), Devin Little (Abby), Shannon, Corey and Trevor Little, Tina, Danny, Molly, Lisa, Tommy and Sam Gigioli, Jim and Toni LaBreche; three great grandchildren, Aiden and Logan Rose, Owen Little; and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her very special friend, Richard Schauf. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, husband Harry, and sister Carol Downey. The Rose family extends deep gratitude to the staff at SSM St. Mary's Care Center and to Agrace HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SSM St. Mary's Care Center or Agrace HospiceCare.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday Oct. 19, 2016 at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglad Dr. Madison, with Fr. Bart Timmerman presiding. A visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church on Wednesday.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434