Obituary for Mary Rohan Foley
Mary Agatha Rohan Foley of Tustin, beloved matriarch of the Foley family, passed away
on July 29, 2022.
Mary was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 22, 1926, to Ruth LaRue Rohan and
Laurence Byron Rohan. The Rohans moved to Miami, FL when Mary was a little girl.
She was the oldest daughter in a family of nine, and was often seen as a second
mother by her younger siblings, especially by her little brother Neil, whom she taught to
read.
In 1943, she graduated from Gesu High School and soon after met her husband, Daniel
Foley, who was stationed in Miami during World War II. They were married on February
11, 1946, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, in Eagle Rock. Mary bravely traveled alone
by train from Miami to Los Angeles to marry her sweetheart, and then returned with Dan
to Miami to complete his education.
Dan and Mary moved to California after Dan graduated from the University of Miami in
1948. After living in Eagle Rock and La Puente, they finally settled in Tustin in 1958,
where they raised their nine children (b. 1946 - 1965).
Mary loved music, art and poetry. She was active in the St. Cecilia Church Choir, was
an avid painter and composed verse, which she published under the pen name of
Coletta Rohan. In 1998, she sent a volume of her work to the Vatican and received a
written commendation from Pope John Paul II, which she framed and displayed in her
dining room. Mary cherished her Catholic faith, regularly attending Mass, participating in
the church Mission Group, and raising and educating her children to live the Catholic
catechism.
Gardening was a special passion of Mary’s. She spent many years growing and tending
the various trees and plants on the Foley property, and she had a special place in her
heart for the rose bushes she planted and lovingly cared for year after year.
In later years, and with the kids grown, Mary loved to travel with Dan, especially to their
favorite destination, Hawaii. They loved Hawaii so much that they celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary in Maui with all their children and grandchildren, generously paying
everyone’s way. Mary loved a good party, and enjoyed having a good time at family
get-togethers.
After Dan passed away in 2018, Mary became a resident at Las Palmas Assisted
Living, where she quickly became “Miss Mary” to the residents and staff. Her lively
conversation and great sense of humor were often commented upon by her fellow Las
Palmas residents, whenever one of her children came to visit.
In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Mary was a devoted daughter and
sister. Over the years, even with the great distance involved, she maintained
relationships by mail and phone with all her siblings, especially with her brothers Robert
(Bobo) and Neil, and her sisters Therese and Ann. She also wrote to her mother nearly
once a week until she passed in 1981.
Mary’s vocation was motherhood, the most important of all. She took care of all of us,
children and grandchildren, with love and care. And she was a devoted, loving and
compassionate wife to Dan for 72 years.
We will miss you, Mom.
Mary is survived by her 9 children (Dan Jr., Kathleen, Barbara, Carolyn, Ann, Joyce,
Patrick, Kevin and Michael), 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is also
survived by her sister, Therese Heeb.
Services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Irvine.
on July 29, 2022.
Mary was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 22, 1926, to Ruth LaRue Rohan and
Laurence Byron Rohan. The Rohans moved to Miami, FL when Mary was a little girl.
She was the oldest daughter in a family of nine, and was often seen as a second
mother by her younger siblings, especially by her little brother Neil, whom she taught to
read.
In 1943, she graduated from Gesu High School and soon after met her husband, Daniel
Foley, who was stationed in Miami during World War II. They were married on February
11, 1946, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, in Eagle Rock. Mary bravely traveled alone
by train from Miami to Los Angeles to marry her sweetheart, and then returned with Dan
to Miami to complete his education.
Dan and Mary moved to California after Dan graduated from the University of Miami in
1948. After living in Eagle Rock and La Puente, they finally settled in Tustin in 1958,
where they raised their nine children (b. 1946 - 1965).
Mary loved music, art and poetry. She was active in the St. Cecilia Church Choir, was
an avid painter and composed verse, which she published under the pen name of
Coletta Rohan. In 1998, she sent a volume of her work to the Vatican and received a
written commendation from Pope John Paul II, which she framed and displayed in her
dining room. Mary cherished her Catholic faith, regularly attending Mass, participating in
the church Mission Group, and raising and educating her children to live the Catholic
catechism.
Gardening was a special passion of Mary’s. She spent many years growing and tending
the various trees and plants on the Foley property, and she had a special place in her
heart for the rose bushes she planted and lovingly cared for year after year.
In later years, and with the kids grown, Mary loved to travel with Dan, especially to their
favorite destination, Hawaii. They loved Hawaii so much that they celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary in Maui with all their children and grandchildren, generously paying
everyone’s way. Mary loved a good party, and enjoyed having a good time at family
get-togethers.
After Dan passed away in 2018, Mary became a resident at Las Palmas Assisted
Living, where she quickly became “Miss Mary” to the residents and staff. Her lively
conversation and great sense of humor were often commented upon by her fellow Las
Palmas residents, whenever one of her children came to visit.
In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Mary was a devoted daughter and
sister. Over the years, even with the great distance involved, she maintained
relationships by mail and phone with all her siblings, especially with her brothers Robert
(Bobo) and Neil, and her sisters Therese and Ann. She also wrote to her mother nearly
once a week until she passed in 1981.
Mary’s vocation was motherhood, the most important of all. She took care of all of us,
children and grandchildren, with love and care. And she was a devoted, loving and
compassionate wife to Dan for 72 years.
We will miss you, Mom.
Mary is survived by her 9 children (Dan Jr., Kathleen, Barbara, Carolyn, Ann, Joyce,
Patrick, Kevin and Michael), 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is also
survived by her sister, Therese Heeb.
Services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Irvine.