Mary Kunes-Neary
Mary Kunes-Neary, 62, beloved wife and mother, died March 2, 2025, following a brief battle with leukemia. Mary was born Nov. 13, 1962, in Columbus, Nebraska, to John and Alice (Martys) Kunes. Mary excelled at academics and attended UN-L on scholarship, graduating in 1985. Mary became fluent in Spanish and participated in a program to place highly needed bi-lingual teachers in Houston. Thus began a career of dedication and commitment to helping others, first by teaching elementary school for many years and then becoming a valued and supportive teammate for Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation. Mary was the administrator of an innovative federal grant that assisted persons in career advancement when illness struck.
While at UNL Mary met Martin, and a 40-year love affair began. Mary and Martin were married on July 31, 1993, in Columbus, and in 1997, Sean Michael Neary was born to their union. Mary offered tireless encouragement and love to both Sean and Martin, always putting them and others first. She will now spend her time with the other angels in Heaven.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jack. Survived by brothers Dave (Jackie), Mike (Julie) and Paul (Joan), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services by Aspen Cremation followed by Private Celebration of Life.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Condolences for Mary Kunes-Neary
I am going to miss my Saturday morning walking buddy. I’ve enjoyed all of the conversations that Mary and I had over the last 10+ years during our walks. My deepest condolences to Martin, Sean, and her family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My thoughts go out to Marty and the family. My prayers are with you all. Mary was a very special person whom I’m happy I had the opportunity to work with at Nebraska VR on the CPAP grant. She was a dedicated employee and enhanced the lives of many clients. I will miss her contagious smile and her wonderful personality.
I was so very sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I have had the pleasure of working under Mary on the second CPAP grant with NE VR for the past 3 years. She will be dearly missed, especially her giggle. Mary and I shared a love for Sorel boots. We would often compare each pair we were wearing when we saw each other. It was something fun we had in common. Our team was located throughout the state, therefore I did not see Mary as often as some may see their supervisor in person. However, each time we would come together as a team, Mary would always remember something simple that each of her employees enjoyed. Mary, Tracy (CPAP co-worker) and I would often talk about our love for the summer and being outside near the water. Mary always had the best tan ever! The last time I saw Mary with our entire team present, she was so excited telling us about her 40th wedding anniversary and showed us a beautiful bracelet her husband had gifted her. She valued her privacy so I knew it meant a lot when she shared her anniversary with us and she also showed us her beautiful flower box that her son helped build for her for Mother’s Day last year. I can still picture the array of flowers they had planted together. It was a memory she treasured. My sincerest condolences to Martin, Sean and the rest of her family, friends and coworkers.
I am sorry for your loss. I worked with Mary at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. She was a strong advocate for persons with developmental disabilities, always respectful and professional. She was also kind to everyone and had a great sense of humor. Gone too soon. My sincere sympathy.
This truly is a loss that is hard to bear and my heart extends to her family and friends. I really enjoyed working with Mary and well appreciate the time I did have with her, but this hurts more than words can say.
I first met Mary in Service Coordination and we sat across from each other in Gold’s. Mary partook in walking club, which I joined because I enjoy walking and then I also partook in a reading club with Mary as well. She left Service Coordination and went over to Nebraska VR. A few years later, I also moved over to VR and would see her from time to time. Mary had a fierce spirit and a talent for advocating for those with disabilities. She will be greatly missed.
I am sorry for Mary’s passing. I remember her as a kind,caring teacher and person.
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I had the privilege of working with her at DHHS for a few years, and she was always such a kind and caring person. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
My sympathies to Mary’s family. I’ve worked with Mary for only a short time but once we discovered our common love of flowers, that was all it took. Even with her busy schedule she would update me with her garden plans, check in on me, and bless me with many seeds. I will cherish her memory, especially when our flowers bloom!
To Mary’s family, friends, and colleagues, Please accept our deepest condolences on behalf of the team at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Mary on the CPAP 1.0 and CPAP 2.0 projects in partnership with Nebraska VR. She was an incredibly hardworking and smart project director and I personally have learned so much from her leadership and innovation (and no-nonsense approach!). We will do our absolute best to honor the work that Mary put into advancing the careers of individuals with disabilities.
Sorry for your loss I knew her in high school she was always so happy and go lucky fantastic person
I am so sad and shocked to hear this news. I went to high school with Mary and remember her as someone who was kind to everyone and always had a smile on her face. Prayers for her family.
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I send thoughts and prayers to Mary’s family. While working under her through CPAP, we shared love fro family. She talked about walking with her friend every Saturday morning at the mall, concerts and UNL. She was dedicated to her family, but also to her clients. She was a very private person, but at team meetings we shared a bond as a team and enjoyed the activities she had planned for the day. She will be missed by those who knew her and I will miss the times we shared. My sincere thoughts and prayers for Martin, Sean and families through this difficult time. God Bless.
Mary will be truly missed, I had the pleasure to work the CPAP 2.0 Team that she led for the last three years. Mary was kind and encouraging to everyone she worked with. I enjoyed many conversations with Mary just talking about life and family during our roadtrips together. I pray the family finds comfort in the many ways Mary helped those she worked with and the excellent service she provided to Nebraska VR clients.
I went to Columbus High with Mary- such a special person. My condolences and prayers to the family.
So sorry to hear about Mary. I went to middle/high school with her and remember her as very kind to everyone.
Deepest sympathies to Mary’s family and friends. I Attended middle school and Highschool with Mary. She always had a smile on her face and such a bubbly personality.
Mary was a wonderful colleague who will be missed by all of us at the Institute for Community Inclusion at U Mass Boston. She did amazing things for people with disabilities in Nebraska but her reach was across many states. She helped projects in Virginia and Minnesota and beyond. She made a difference for people she did not know. I’m grateful to have known Mary, to remember her laugh, and to honor her work.
I have worked with Mary as part of the CPAP 2.0 (Career Pathways Advancement Project) grant team for well over 2 years. No words can express how sad it is to lose a leader/teammate like Mary with such a driven work ethic and genuine concern for others. I extend my sympathy to family, friends, and fellow co-workers grieving her absence in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. We will make you proud Mary, I promise! May you rest peacefully knowing you truly made a difference in this world.
Deepest sympathies to your family Mary.. I was a classmate..
I’m very sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My deepest condolences to her family. We went to school together from 5th grade on. She was a very kind person. Rest in peace. Fly high with your angel wings.
Losing Mary is devastating. My thoughts and prayers are with Martin, Sean, and her family members. I met Mary in college in 1983. She was beautiful, smart, and fun. Her smile and laugh are simply unforgettable. I have many great memories of Mary. Together we went to classes, concerts, parties, the gym, and the lake in her yellow Volkswagen Bug. We were Maid of Honor/Matron of Honor at our weddings. Over the years, we celebrated accomplishments and special events together. Also, we supported each other during some of the hard times. Her friendship was unwavering. I am eternally grateful for Mary and the impact she had on my life. Mary will always be my best friend. Godspeed Mary.
Mary was a delightful friend and an excellent teacher. I am saddened to hear of her death.
Oh Mary, Mary, as Diane and I would call you when you visited Roxie and Judy at Union Hill. You were caring and stern for the care that the two ladies received. That’s what we liked most about you, you cared. Thank you for helping us care for the people with special needs, it made our job easier to know that we could approach someone that cared as much as we did. I know Roxie and Judy appreciated it! You did God’s work.