Mary Kay Hanley

SOUTH MILWAUKEE Mary Kay Hanley peacefully passed away in her home with family by her side on June 12, 2022 at the age of 64 years.

She was surely welcomed into her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – flanked by her husband Gary Hanley who passed away in 2020, her father Daniel Forecki who passed away in 2019, and her mother Eileen Forecki (nee Murphy) who passed away in 1991.

She is survived by her son Erik (Rebekah) Hanley, brother Thomas (Diane) Forecki, sister-in-law Colleen (Michael) Skott, and other loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mary graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1976 and married Gary the following year. A couple years later, the couple built their forever home in South Milwaukee on land owned by Gary’s side of the family for generations.

Mary had some college-level education and worked in the data entry field at Everbrite in South Milwaukee and later at Advance Trucking. Soon after the birth of her son, Mary chose to change careers and become a full-time Mama extraordinaire.

Mary was a news hound, always wanting to be in the know whether it be national or local goings on. She also loved animals, both living and stuffed, and enjoyed spending time with family camping, watching movies, playing cards, and having late-night chats.

Mary felt blessed God gifted her with a wonderful in-home hospice team – specifically nurse Billie Jo Kunesh, who helped her through the last months of her life as she courageously battled a cancer diagnosis. “It’s my turn, God is calling me, and I realize that,” Mary said.

In her final months, Mary’s son and daughter-in-law moved in with her to help her, hear a few last words of wisdom from her, and make immortal memories with her.

A very strong-willed and selfless woman, Mary will be missed but she believed she’d see loved ones again: “Someday when we have our heavenly bodies, we’re going to have a ball,” she said.

A small private service was held per Mary’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zion Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee.