Mary Alice Gregoline

Mary Alice (O'Shea) Gregoline died February 11, 2015 at home, surrounded by her five loving daughters, from complications of a hip fracture she received on the morning of her husband, Paul's, funeral service. They had been married for 70 years, beginning their life together March 18, 1944 before Paul reported for service in the Army during World War II. The past several years, she cared for him at home as his health declined, even though her eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration and she was hampered by severe arthritis in her feet. They were together, sleeping side by side the morning Paul passed away on January 16, 2015. Mary was the daughter of George and Agnes (Muno) O'Shea and the first of 6 children.
Education was important to Mary. While raising a family of five girls, Mary got her GED so she could pursue a college degree. She received her BS in accounting from IU Northwest in 1970, the same year her middle daughter graduated from high school. Mary worked for a local accountant, Joe Alonzo, while attending college and for several years after. She started her own business in 1985. She was active in her profession, serving several years on the board of the Indiana Society of Public Accountants, receiving an award in honor of her many years of service by being inducted into the Indiana Society of Public Accountants Hall of Fame in 1995.
She also served for many years on the board of Lakes of the Four Seasons, a community of about 2,500 homes. She was instrumental in enhancing the quality of life, and constructing and enhancing tennis courts, baseball fields and parks. She loved the outdoors and after her career as an accountant, took up nature photography, winning many awards over multiple years at the Indiana State Fair statewide competition.
Fitness, too, was important to Mary and ensuring access for all was a lifelong pursuit. Not only did she coach many of her girls' basketball and volleyball teams, ensuring that every team member regardless of ability had a chance to play, she single-handedly brought physical education space and programming to the local parochial school, St. Joseph the Worker in Gary. She convinced the pastoral leadership to convert an old church into an indoor gym and worked with the local public school system to arrange access to outdoor track facilities.
Her Irish heritage was a strong part of Mary's identity, and she is survived by her five lucky daughters: Kathy (Dennis) Miller, Susan (Michael) Rusnak, Lauri (Michael) Waldner, Kim Gregoline, and Lisa DeHayes (Phil Waite); her 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Connie Koopmann; and sister-in-law, Pauline Zancanaro. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Jack and William O'Shea; and sisters, Kay Porter and Nancy Nanos.
Private family services were held.
Memorial contributions may be made to BOSMA Visionary Opportunities Foundation, providing employment training and placement and rehabilitation for those with vision loss, at 8020 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, or at www.bosma.org