Mary Cahill Obituary

Cinnamon Grams~ words can’t express how deeply I miss you. 10 years is too long. My life is not the same without you. I can see you in your bed with papers around you as a bird in a nest with your leg warmers on. You had a way of saying the right thing at the right time. ‘Give it up to God’ you would tell me. Being one of the older grandchildren who was privileged to live you, I now know I had the best life

Remembering Mary Ann today on the anniversary of her death. She was such an inspiration to breastfeeding mothers and mentor to us La Leche League Leaders! I remember meeting her once at a La Leche League Area Conference. She was warm and personable and seemed genuinely interested in all the moms she talked to. What a wonderful, accomplished woman she was!

I was out of the country when Mrs Cahill passed last year and just today learned of her death. I grew up with her family, her son Bob and daughter Elizabeth were my childhood friends. My mother, Aleatha Mueller was one of her LaLeche colleagues. My father, Richard Mueller died within 30 days of Mr Cahill. I am sorry to hear of her passing and thank her and my parents generation for enriching all of our lives. Myself a grandmother I pass on her legacy of the LaLeche message whenever I can. THANK YOU Mrs Cahill! Mary Ellen (Mueller) Donovan 630-347-1299

Mary Ann touched the lives of so many. She was a role model for those of us who dedicated our lives as La Leche Leaders for more than 50 yrs. The world has been a better place because of her. Love, Marie Nielsen Toms River NJ

Mary Ann's life will be remembered and revered by those of us who used the original Womanly Art of Breastfeeding as a guide when there was so little information available about breastfeeding. Her efforts, and the other founding mothers of LLL, will live on in the hearts and arms of mothers and babies as they enjoy "the womanly art of breastfeeding".

While i never met Mrs. Cahill personally, She has touched me through la leche league. My mom used to go to meetings in the 80's, and i go now. My pediatrician says that the seven founding ladies should win the Nobel prize for the impact they made in worldwide health, and i agree.

We send our thoughts and prayers to the Cahill family during this very sad time. Mothers are often the center post of family unity, and her large family was the heart of Mary Ann's life. May you all draw strength and consolation from one another and knowing your mother leaves behind a legacy of family, charity, and faith.
Jennie and Gordon Nesseth (Julie Cahill's sister)

Dear Cahill Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She must have been such a wonderful person. Previous commitments prevent me from being there for Charlie, my friend and colleague, however, my prayers are with you. God Bless

Condolences to all who loved her. She touched many lives and her legacy lives on in every mother and baby who benefits from La Leche League past, present and future.

Aunt Mary Ann,
You will be dearly missed by us your family, and all you touched with your wisdom and gracious nature. I hope we can all continue to pass on your wisdom to others.

It is difficult for me to keep my words about my friendship with Mary Ann Cahill down to a minimum but I will try. Mary Ann & I became fast friends several years ago when I joined St.Vincent de Paul and she helped to train me. There could not have had a more appropriate mentor than her unless it was Mother Teresa. She was the most compassionate woman I have ever known. she listened to people with her whole heart , praying with them again with her whole heart and finally moving mountains to assist them in whatever was their need. In later years when Mary Ann was no longer able to drive at night to go on home visits or carry the groceries up and down stairs leading into our clients homes, she accompanied others of us and continued to work in this ministry until she was no longer able. Then she became our "scribe" . She would approach one of us after morning mass , looking for any kind of story we might have about a "house call" we were on . She would take our simple stories and turn them into prose and each week, everyone looked forward to reading these beautiful stories in our church bulletin. Mary Ann helped me to write talks that I had to give and had a way of putting me at ease about any task that I might have to do. We prayed together , we laughed together and my favorite time with her was when I had the honor of being among the many who brought her Communion during the last months of her life. These occasions were so very moving for me to witness the way she loved Jesus and how receiving HIM in the sacrament of the Eucharist visually changed her. Oh, what a spiritual experience those times were for me. Thank you Love for bringing Mary Ann Cahill into my life and allowing me to be her friend. She made such a difference in my life.!
Sheila Garrity Douglas

The world has lost a sweet spirit. She gave so many mothers the gift of being confident in their ability to mother their babies. I am a better mother because of the lessons I learned at La Leche League. Rest in peace dear lady.

Dear Cahill Family,

I am so sorry about your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. (John 5:28)

My two year old son, Gregory died in 1995 and Mary Ann called me personally. I was a La Leche League leader and she cried with me over the phone. I was deep in my grief and shock, yet honored at the same time. "I cannot speak" I said to her. "Oh but one day you will. One day you will stand up and speak and everyone will listen." I have never forgotten that incredibly sweet and hopeful thing she said to me and I was sure to hug her tight and remind of of that every time I saw her in later years. Thank you Mary Ann Cahill, for changing the world and for changing me. Much love, Ann Conlon-Smith, Raleigh NC

Our most sincere condolences Mary Ann's family. She will always be remembered for all she did for mothers around the world through her tireless efforts in La Leche League. Sue, Samantha, Alesha, Chris, Lucia and the mothers and babies of La Leche League of Toms River, NJ

Good bless you for all you did for breastfeeding mothers. I was a leader back in 1980's and early 1990. You were truly an inspiration to us all.

Meeting Mary Ann Cahill and her sister founders of La Leche League was a highlight of my life. She was an integral part of that team of women who changed the world, one breastfeeding family at a time. I will be forever grateful. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

I stood in the cafeteria line in front of Mary Ann at a La Leche League of Texas conference back in the early 1980s, and always fondly remembered the friendly, funny conversation I had with her. When I became a LLL Leader, I was proud to have contributed a story to The Heart Has Its Own Reasons. Mary Ann and the other founders of LLL have been huge inspirations and role models for my life's work and in the raising of my own family. May God bless her. Barbara Wilson-Clay, IBCLC

I was very sad to learn of Mary Ann Cahill's death. As a La Leche League Leader of 30 years (and counting), I was so inspired by her writings, which helped me to become a better mother. Meeting her in person at a LLL conference, I found her to be motherly and kind--a real role model. My heart goes out to her family and close friends as you all begin to mourn and remember her.

I met Mary Ann's son Tim when he was a young intern at Saint Francis hospital in Evanston. He shared his mother's philosophy about the importance of breastfeeding our babies. The message stayed with me when I gave birth to my daughter several years later. I found support and encouragement in Mary Ann's books. I have since given her books to my 24 year old daughter who recently had a baby. Mary Ann's message is timeless, and her work as a La Leche League founder lives on forever. Thank you Mary Ann, for educating and encouraging women to value this important gift to our children; "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding".

Mary Ann leaves a legacy of her family and of mothers for many decades around the entire world. What a legacy indeed. May the family be blessed and sustained by their memories and thank you so much for sharing her with the rest of us. God Bless. - Sally Adams

Thank you for your legacy. As a mother who struggled to nurse both her babies and succeeded, La Leche League has had a huge effect on my life and my entire mothering experience. LLL has done so much for my little family, it has shaped our parenting philosophies and brought us together with other wonderful families. You will never be forgotten!

I only knew Mary Ann from afar. I am indebted to her and the other six founding mothers for their dedication and selflessness in spreading their knowledge of breast feeding as well as enlisting professionals to impart connecting information. My family and my children's families have/are benefitting from the love and knowledge handed down since 1979 - when I attended my fist meeting in Woodbury, N.J. followed by continuing in groups wherever my husband's career took us: Piscataway, N.J., Trenton, N.J., Crystal Lake, Illinois, and, finally Mansfield, OH.
My sincere condolences to her family and friends on the loss of such a treasure.

What a gift Mary Ann was, not only to her family, but to mothers everywhere. Thank you for leaving such a wonderful legacy with LLL.

I have tears in my eyes as I write this.
Not because Mary Ann is gone; because what she gave lives on and has made such a difference -- in my life, in my children's lives, in their children's lives -- in the lives of all those many women who became LLL Leaders for a time, and all the lives they have touched.
We are grateful for the practical information and support that helped us breastfeed our babies. But it came with so much more.
"Mother the mother, so she can mother the child."
"Eat a wide variety of whole foods in as close to their natural state as possible."
"Accept each mother where she is, with no judgment or lecturing."
"Listen first, then answer questions directly and factually. Only when she is ready, offer new ideas and suggestions ."
"Raise children who are kind, responsible, and healthy."
Mary Ann and the other founders who entered our lives to help us breastfeed our babies helped us learn how to live whole lives.
Thank you for sharing her with us.
My tears are gratitude for what Mary Ann gave.

Dear Mary Ann,
I shared with you once at an LLL Conference that you were one of the most influential women in my life. Your book "The Heart Has It's Own Reasons" deeply impacted me and the lives of my three daughters. Thank-you, forever! LLLove, Lydia

Mary Ann was a role model for my mothering. I'm honored to have known her!

Rest in peace Mary Ann. We will continue to support LLL with all our heart.
Sincerest condolences to all your family.
Sylvie Ricochon and Sophie Chevalier ACL with Leaders from LLLFrance

Farewell and THANK YOU. You helped me realize my role as a mother and the joy it brings.

Mary Ann has touched our hearts and our lives. Many thanks to the Cahill family for sharing such a treasure with her LLL family.

Thank you Mary Ann for your part in creating La Leche League. Your infectious smile will be missed.
Renee' DiGregorio, LLL Leader

My deepest condolences to the Cahill family. Mary Ann was an inspiration to all of us in La Leche League and I feel honoured to have met her. Her wisdom, humor and grace will always be with me.
Lavinia Belli, LLL Leader
Norway

Mary Ann will be missed by all, but especially by those she blessed with her wonderful gentleness and humor.
The world is a better place because she was here.

Mary Ann's loving kindness, dedication, leadership, writing talent, & so much more has been such an inspiration to so many LLL Leaders throughout the world. Much sympathy to the family--one of my favorite memories of Mary Ann is during the wonderful time we enjoyed with her in 2011 at the LLL Alumnae trip to St. Augustine. She seemed so happy to be at the place where the name of La Leche League was born. Pam Oselka, LLL Leader for many years.

My deepest sympathy to your family. I met Mary Ann many years ago and my "Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" was signed by her. She was a true inspiration to following your heart when it came to mothering. What a lovely woman.
Ruth Lee, former LLL leader, Pittsburgh

Rest in Peace Mary Ann and thank you for your role with LLLI when I was a young mom and new Leader.

My deepest condoleances to the Cahill-family. It was an honour and a pleasure to work with her on the board. Always strong, always gentle, with a great sense of humour. She will be missed!
Lydia de Raad
LLLI Board Co-Chairman

Thank you Mary Ann, for all your LLL Love and Leadership.

Mary Ann's work with La Leche League changed my life as it did so many others. I was lucky enough to spend time with her at a conference a few years ago, and she impressed me with her sense of humour and energy. She will be deeply missed.

I am so blessed to have had Mom Cahill in my life. She will surely be missed. I will never forget when she came to visit Charlie and me at ISU - love this woman!

Mary Ann was an inspiration to so many others -- and so many mothers! Her faith-filled life and her powerful use and exercise of that faith gives us an example of how to be workers in God's vineyards.

My sympathies to all her family and dear friends at losing her.

I met her many years ago at a LaLeche conference in Chicago. I cried because I was so grateful to her and her friends who had started LaLeche. May she rest in peace. malcolm kelly (Mrs. W.P.Kelly) of Louisville, KY

Deepest Sympathies to Mary Ann's family and close friends. She will be missed within the LLLI community and especially by those of us who had the honor of serving with her on the LLLI Board. She will always be in the hearts of those of us who strive to carry forward the work that she and the Founders started.
Sincerely,
Anne Batterjee
LLLI Board of Directors; VC

My deep sympathy to Mary Ann's family. We will miss her wit, wisdom, and gentle ways.
Linda Anderson
LLLI Board Co-Chairman