Mary Winget

Mary Therese Winget, 73, who was passionate about language and politics, succumbed to brain cancer on Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Roseville, MN, in the presence of family. Her father, Joseph Mueller, passed away hours later in Springfield, IL. She leaves behind her siblings, Joseph (Chip) Mueller and Nancy Singer, as well as her children, Audrey and Bryan and her grandsons, Tiernan and Sebastian.
Mary was born in Chicago, IL, to Eileen and Joseph Mueller--of Irish and German descent, respectivelya�"and grew up spending memorable summers at the family cottage at Turner Camp in Fox River Grove, IL. After graduating from Alvernia Catholic High School in Chicago, she spent a year at Northern Illinois University before transferring to the University of Illinois Champaign. During her three years there, she was active in College Young Democrats and in the fight for social justice, and she met, Gary Winget, whom she married in 1964.
They eventually made their home in the Twin Cities, where they raised two children and Mary earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in English Literature from the University of Minnesota. Ever politically engaged, she assumed various roles in the League of Women Voters and at the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus. She was also active in her children's schools and in the St. Anthony Park community, where the family had a home. She wrote numerous poems and articles which were published in various magazines, journals and newsletters during these years as well.
In 1988, Mary began pursuing her dream profession as an editor of children's books. She accepted a position at Lerner Publications, Minneapolis, where she stayed until her retirement in 2012. In this capacity she was able to develop book series that would critically analyze pressing social questions, thoughtfully present key political figures and historical events, and engagingly examine the world's rich diversity, be it in nature, science or through exploring cultures. To every book or series she edited or wrote, she brought her experience, expertise and belief in the transformative power of knowledge and critical thought.
The family would like to thank Mary's Neuro-Oncologist, Dr. Richard A. Peterson, and the kind staff of the Cancer Care Center and Radiation Department at Regions Hospital in St. Paul for their encouragement and guidance through her illness. In addition, they sincerely appreciate the gentle care provided by the staff at EagleCrest Enhanced Assisted Living. A special thanks is extended to all who expressed their support in the challenging final months of her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to ComoFriends, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul, MN, 55103 (comofriends.org) or to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 550, Chicago, IL 60631-3225 (www.abta.org).
Her cremated remains will be entombed at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, in a private ceremony. A memorial service for friends and family will be held in the historic chapel of Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis at 12 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Those attending are invited to a subsequent gathering in the reception area on the upper level of the Lakewood Garden Mausoleum.