Mary M. Rafferty

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mary Margaret Rafferty, 91, of Jackson, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Born Sept. 16, 1910, in Cape Girardeau, she was the daughter of Peter and Ersie Points Mollenhour.

On May 26, 1930, she was married to Robert E. Rafferty Sr. He died Oct. 14, 1996. The couple formerly owned and operated the A&W Drive-In in Jackson for many years.

Mrs. Rafferty was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson where she was a member and former president of St. Ann's Sodality.

A founding member of the Suburban Garden Club, she was also a member of Eastside Homemakers Club of Jackson.

She proudly served as a committeewoman to the Democratic Party of Cape Girardeau County and the state of Missouri.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Susan Rafferty Jr. of Jackson; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and Don Ludwig of Ruidoso, N.M., Roberta "Bert" and Bill Birk, Ann and Joe Donnelly, all of Jackson; 15 grandchildren, Patrick and Natalie Rafferty; Donna, Debbie and Scott Ludwig; Andy, Rob, Tony, Billy and Tyler Birk; Nancy Seyer, Cliff Verhines, Valerie Richardson, Brice and Anna Donnelly; 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson, with rosary at 7 p.m. and parish prayers at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Msg. Edward Eftink as celebrant. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are under the direction of McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund.