Mary Barden Cleary, age 95 of Rochester, passed away on July 9, 2011. She was a 12 year resident of Madonna Towers in Rochester. Mary Barden was born on February 3, 1916 in Waseca County to Ambrose and Margaret Barden. Following High School she attended the College of St. Teresa in Winona graduating with a degree in social service. In 1950, she moved to Cleveland, OH and began in her career in social work. On December 29, 1973, she married John J. "Jack" Cleary in Waseca, MN at Sacred Heart Church.  In 1979, Mary retired. Mary had a deep love for children, and although she did not have children of her own, she considered the many children she had contact with during her work in Children's Services her own. She is survived by sisters, Peggy Ward of Minneapolis, and Martha Myszka of St. Paul, a sister-in-law Mary Barden, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband John "Jack" Cleary, and three brothers: Vince, Dick and Jerome.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at the Madonna Towers Chapel with Father James Russell officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at Madonna Towers.  Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. Memorials are preferred to Madonna Towers.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.