Denise O'Halloran

TRAVERSE CITY — Ina Denise O'Halloran, 92, peacefully went to be with the Lord on April 23, 2012. Denise McGee was born Oct. 14, 1919, in Cadillac. She married the love of her life, Maurice "Mo" O'Halloran, on Nov. 25, 1943, in Detroit. Their first son, Terrance, was born in Detroit and when Mo's job took them to Illinois, they were blessed with their second son, Dennis. They made their permanent move to California in the 1950s, where their third son, Pablo Villicana Lara, completed the family picture.Denise's life was dedicated to God, her love of Mother Mary and the church. At St. Isidore Church, Danville, Calif., her participation was constant and varied; she was involved with and a member of the Capital Campaign to build a new church in 1962, St. Isidore Mother's Club, president of the St. Isidore Guild, Young Ladies Institute, St. Isidore Catholic School, Eucharistic Minister and the missionary program, to name a few.Denise was a longtime member of the Alter Society, where it was well known that she was the only one to adorn the alter during Christmas and Easter, taking much pride and joy in ironing ribbons, making all her own bows and floral arrangements.Denise continued to serve the church when she moved to Traverse City in 1999. She became a member of the St. Francis Parish, where she became fondly known as "The Hat Lady", always looking so beautiful. Here she continued her longtime devotion of giving to others.Besides her strong faith, Denise's loves in life were many. When she wasn't watching EWTN or saying the rosary with Mother Angelica, she loved to cook, entertain and shop. She loved to tell stories about her "Mo", her children and grandchildren, and her active life in California.Denise was the matriarch of the McGee family. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Margaret McGee; loving husband, Maurice; son, Terrance; brother, Bill McGee; sisters-in-law, Marion McGee and Kathleen O'Halloran; brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Colleen O'Halloran and Mary (Mike) Henahan. She is survived by her brothers and sister, John McGee, Pat (Rose) McGee and Sr. Borgia Anne McGee S.S.J. She is also survived by her sons, Dennis O'Halloran and Pablo (Terry) Villicana Lara; grandchildren, Alex, Eric and Lily; sister-in-law, Bernadette McGee; and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Jane O'Halloran. Denise also has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren, and she loved being a great aunt and surrogate "mom" to many.Visitation will take place Sunday, April 29, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a rosary recitation at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, at St. Francis Catholic Church, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Cadillac. Our many thanks go out to the St. Francis Parish staff members, special neighbors, Jody and Peggy, Dr. Klettner and staff, Munson Medical Center 7A staff and Comfort Keepers for their gentle care of Denise. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis Food Pantry, Traverse City, or the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Nazareth.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.