Mary Ann “Mickey” Reilly, age 93, of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. She was born on April 29, 1932, in East Dubuque, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence and Adeline (Leibold) Cullen.

Mickey grew up on the family farm in East Dubuque as one of twelve siblings, learning early the values of faith, hard work, and caring for others. She graduated from East Dubuque High School in 1950. Following high school, she worked as a teller and bookkeeper until she met the love of her life, James Louis Reilly. Mickey and Jim were united in marriage on April 23, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in East Dubuque. Shortly thereafter, they began raising their family and made Shullsburg their home, where they built a life rooted in family, faith, and community.

In 1964, Mickey and Jim founded Reilly Plumbing and Heating, a family business that continues today, 61 years later. Mickey worked faithfully alongside Jim, not only in their business but also in their shared service to the community as secretary to Jim, with his Lafayette County coroner’s duties. They were truly best friends, partners in work and in life.

Mickey was a devoted member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Shullsburg. She was active in the Altar and Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of America and generously gave her time teaching Sunday School for many years. Her faith was central to her life – she volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul and lovingly prayed the rosary at countless funerals for family, friends, and fellow parishioners.

She found joy in tending her garden and preserving the fruits of her labor through canning. Mickey was an ardent Wisconsin sports fan, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers—especially enjoying listening to Bob Uecker on the radio—and the Wisconsin Badgers. She was also a talented seamstress and dedicated her Saturdays to cooking and baking for her family. Grandma Mickey made Saturdays special with her homemade pizza, bread, and cinnamon rolls.

Above all else, Mickey treasured her family. Her children and grandchildren were her entire world. She made every effort to attend their activities and milestones and never missed a chance to let them know how proud she was of each of them.

Mickey is survived by her loving husband, Jim Reilly; her children: Emmett (Jeanne) Reilly of Shullsburg; Ann Reilly of St. Paul, Minnesota; Peg Reilly of Eagan, Minnesota; Jane Reilly of Roseville, Minnesota; Robert Reilly of Argyle, Wisconsin; John Reilly of Pecatonica, Illinois; Jim (Pam) Reilly of Eastman, Wisconsin; Tom (Jill) Reilly of Shullsburg, and Ted Reilly of Platteville, Wisconsin; 13 grandchildren: Jessica (Reilly) Halkowski; Matthew, Jimmy, Patrick, and Joseph Reilly; Max and Quinn Graham; Reilly Howell; Carly (Reilly) Cody; Dylan Reilly; Cassidy (Reilly) Mackey, and Addison and Ella Reilly; 8 great-grandchildren: Madison and Maddox Reilly; Evelyn, Addeline, and Ian Reilly; Hank and Macie Cody and Marigold Mackey; her sister, Peg Dalsing of Dubuque, Iowa; her sister-in-law, Gerry Cullen; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Sean Patrick, in infancy; and her siblings: Joe, Kate, Jack, Pat, Tom, Lois, Jerry, Dan, Bill, and Helen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (344 N. Judgement Street, Shullsburg), with Father William Vernon officiating. Burial will follow in St. Matthew’s Cemetery in Shullsburg. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, with a rosary prayed at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthews Catholic Church in Shullsburg or McCoy Public Library. The Reilly Family offers their sincere thanks to the staff at the Lafayette County Manor and St. Croix Hospice for the exceptional care they provided to Mickey and our family in the past several months.

The Erickson Funeral Home of Shullsburg is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.

Mary Ann Reilly

April 29, 1932 - December 30, 2025

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