Mary Jane Pendergast

Topeka, Kansas - Mary Jane Pendergast, 94, died 14 January 2014, Topeka Presbyterian Manor. She was born October 19, 1919, in Wright, Kansas, the daughter of August E. and Minnie Beat Conrardy. The family farmed outside Wright where Mary attended school until the 8th grade and then attended St. Mary of the Plains Academy in Dodge City, graduating in 1937. On, June 8, 1942, she married Richard (Dick) Argyle Pendergast at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas and remained living there while Dick served in the Army during WWII. At the end of the war, Mary and Dick moved to 215 Quinton, Topeka, Kansas where they lived for over 58 years and raised their three (3) children. During those years Mary worked as a beautician at several Topeka hair salons until she retired in 1986. In 2002 she moved to a home at 3508 Rochester Road to be near her son and daughter-in-law, Darrel and Susan Pendergast, who lived next door. Due to various illnesses she was eventually moved to the Topeka Presbyterian Manor in 2007. She was originally a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church for many years and assisted in providing funeral meals and carried out other church tasks. Mary was an active member of the Church's Altar Guild and the Daughters of Isabella. After her move in 2002 Mary then became a member of Mother Teresa of Calcutta parish. Mary volunteered many hours at St. Francis Auxiliary and the American Cancer Society, Mary enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, reading and gardening. She enjoyed her visits with family and traveled overseas with her daughter, Sharon many times to visit her son, Mike who was in the military, visiting Hawaii, Germany and Korea. Survivors include: daughter, Sharon Pendergast and her husband, Bill Hannon, Alexandria, Virginia; sons, Michael Pendergast and wife, Johnette (Johnny), Windsor, Colorado, and Darrel Pendergast and wife Susan, Topeka, Kansas; one sister, Joan Hornung and husband Bill, Stratton, CO; a sister-in-law, Louise Conrardy, Stratton, CO; 5 grandchildren Ryan Pendergast (40), Nicole Grizzle (38), Jeremy Pendergast (37), Michelle Reineissan (37) and Jeanelle Gordon (37): and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband (Richard Pendergast died 1987), 6 brothers, Anthony, Louis, Lawrence, Bernard, Elmer, and Eugene Conrardy, and her sisters, Lucy Lutz and Lucille Lutz. Family extends a special thanks to the Presbyterian Manor and Hospice staffs for their care of Mary during her 6+ years stay there. Visitation begins at 2:00pm Thursday (30 January) with a rosary by the D of I at 4:30pm and parish rosary at 6:00pm at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday (31 January) at 10:00am at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 2014 NW 46th, Topeka, Kansas. Burial following the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 801 SW Westchester Road, Topeka, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas.