Mary G. Newton Kjellander, 87, of Boise, ID, formerly from Abingdon, IL passed away on August 20, 2023. She was born December 13, 1935, in St. Augustine, Illinois, the daughter of Oscar S. and Florence H. Fogarty Newton. She attended Corpus Christi High School in Galesburg, IL graduating in 1953. On January 7, 1956, she married Robert P. Kjellander at Corpus Christi Church, Galesburg, IL.
After graduating, she attended Brown’s Business College and Carl Sandburg College. She worked in the Human Resources Department for Outboard Marine Corporation in Galesburg, IL for 32 years, and then with NAEIR in Human Resources for another 12 years. After the death of her husband, who passed on their 40th wedding anniversary January 7, 1996, she relocated to Idaho in 1997. After a few months of retirement, she opted to return to the work force and worked for the Idaho Association of Realtors for 19 years. She loved tracing family genealogy, staying in touch with her family and friends, and when her health permitted, she loved shopping and traveling. Mary was very family oriented and loved spending time with and caring for them. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Boise, ID.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Bridget (James) Paluzzi and her son Paul (Radelle) Kjellander both of Boise, ID and five grandchildren Allison (Thiago) Kjellander, Victoria (William) Paluzzi Sanchez, Maria Paluzzi, Justus Kjellander, and Skyler Kjellander. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Bernice Kjellander of Abingdon, IL, her brother-in-law, Francis Kjellander of Leesburg, FL, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Helen Newton Lannholm.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Galesburg, IL. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg, IL. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, Boise, ID and Hinchliff-Pearson-West, Galesburg, IL. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.h-p-w.com.
