Mary Conrad Whelan, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 23, 2012, at St. Anthony Medical Center in St. Louis.

She was born March 26, 1938, in Illmo, to Vernon and Anna M. Leist Garrison. In 1955, she moved to Cape Girardeau and was married to Paul "Diz" Conrad for 33 years. Together they had one daughter. She later was married to Larry Whelan of Cape Girardeau for eight years.

Ms. Whelan worked for Ely Walker Co. as a seamstress and supervisor for 20 years and later a beautician in Cape Girardeau. She retired in 1997 from LeeRowan where she had worked since 1984.

Mary was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and most recently attended the Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge.

In life, she enjoyed music and dancing, travel, cooking and most especially celebrating life with those she loved.

Survivors include a daughter, Teresa (J. Wayne) Armbruster of Paducah, Ky.; grandchildren, Ashley (Daniel) Miller and Justin Armbruster, both of Paducah; sisters, Clara M. White of Cape Girardeau, Ruth A. Randol of Scott City and Billie J. Durbin of Portageville, Mo.; and special companion, Roy Lee Reeves of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Paul "Diz" Conrad; and a brother, Harold Garrison.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating.

Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.