Mary Beth Haley
June 3, 1936 ~ October 1, 2022
Mary Haley, 86, Sioux Falls, died peacefully in her sleep, Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Dougherty Hospice House, in Sioux falls.
There will be a Private Graveside Service held at St. Michaels Cemetery, Sioux Falls, on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Mary Beth West, daughter of Edward and Mary West, was born June 3, 1936, in Sioux Falls SD. Mary grew up in Sioux Falls with eleven brothers and sisters. Before Mary was born, the family lost their little brother, James Thomas, from rheumatic fever, at the age of two. Mary’s mother passed away when Mary was only 16 years old. At that time, Mary dropped out of school to take care of her large family. Mary basically took the place of her mother. She was always in the kitchen cooking for her family and making sure everyone was taken care of. Those that knew Mary, would say that she had an extremely generous heart, and always put others’ needs before her own.
Mary then met the love of her life, William Dean “Billy” Haley. They were united in marriage on September 10, 1955, at Little Flower Catholic Church, which became St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Mary started her career at an early age, working for the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls. From there, she self-taught herself medical transcription where she worked as a medical transcriptionist at Avera Hospital for many years. She then switched companies until she retired from North Central Heart, Sioux Falls.
Mary was happiest when she was with her family. Grateful for having shared her life are her three children, son Patrick Haley; two daughters, Colleen (Jamie) Elrod, and Julie (Shannon) Thurman; ten grandchildren, Stewart, Morgan, and Bradey Haley; Lexi, Dylan, and Max Elrod; and Alex, Tyler, Caitlin, and Calli Thurman; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden Haley, and Cairo Thurman; and Mary’s sister, Rita Geary.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Haley; her parents, Edward and Mary West; and six brothers and three sisters.
When I Go
Don’t learn to live without me
Just learn to live with my love
In a different way.
And if you need to see me
close your eyes
or look in your shadows
When the sun shines
I’m here
Sit with me in the quiet and you will know
that I did not leave
There is no leaving when a soul is blended
with another
When I go don’t learn to live without me
I remember working with Mary at North Central Heart years ago. Thoughts and comfort for all at this time .
What a BEAUTIFUL photograph you chose for this! It just made me smile. I remember her smile, I remember with such fond memories and was just thinking about her a few days ago when I saw an old classic car on the interstate, and I thought about that brand new salmon thunderbird they had with the little round windows. I think about her when I make scrambled eggs for my grandchildren because when I lived with you when you guys were little, she made me scrambled eggs EVERY morning. And when I prepare a turkey I HAVE to rinse it out because SHE did “cant have a dirty bird now, can we?” She was such a kind and thoughtful aunt… I am SO SORRY for your loss . Can you just imagine the party they must be having in Heaven today, she was preceded in death by SO MANY wonderful friends and relatives <3