Mary McIllece Rooney

September 8, 1955 - April 30, 2021

Mary McIllece Green Rooney of Newport Beach passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her husband, Peter Rooney and her two sons, Brett and J.B. Green, after heroically battling cancer for seven years. Mary was born in Seattle, Washington, and adopted by her wonderful mother Alice McIllece Harris. Mary grew up on Mercer Island until she was ten years old. She moved to South Pasadena when her mother married George Harris (SPHS '33) in 1965 and went on to graduate from SPHS.

Mary graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a BA degree in English and International Relations in 1977. She was awarded the Order of the Laurel at graduation by her beloved mentor, Dean Joan Schaefer for her significant contribution in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and service. After graduation, Mary attended the USC School of Law where she earned her JD degree in 1980 at a time when few women attended law school. After she passed the California bar exam, she was hired in 1980 by Rutan & Tucker, Orange County's oldest law firm where she became a partner and spent her entire career practicing real estate law. Mary successfully represented some of the largest landlords in Southern California as well as Fortune 500 companies. Mary was very fond of her law partners and clients and enjoyed the intellectual challenges of the ever-changing real estate business.

Mary never forgot the two scholarships she received from Town & Gown of USC including a four year scholarship for law school. She was so grateful for the opportunities she received at USC. She believe she would not have been able to attend USC were it not for the two Mary Norquist Scholarships and she wanted to do the same for others. Mary later joined Town & Gown and was able to endow a scholarships for other deserving students and was a member of the scholarship committee. She joined the Trojan League of Los Angeles in 2006 where she served as the Annual Benefit Chairman and as the president for two years. Mary received the Widney Alumni House Award for her volunteerism and leadership. She cherished the bonds she had with her fellow members of Trojan League. While in college, Mary was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority where she made lasting relationships with many friends. She later served as the president of the Pi Beta Phi House Corporation for four years starting in 2006 and oversaw a major restoration of the sorority house. Mary's pledge class in 1973 was the first to move into the then new sorority house which was designed by the iconic Los Angeles architect Paul Williams whom she admired.

During those years of service, she enjoyed getting to know and work with the young women and other board members. Mary met Kevin Green after she started practicing law in Orange County. Kevin also attended the University of Southern California and they shared many friends and interests. They married in 1983, moved to the Bayshores Community in 1985, and had two beautiful sons, Brett and J.B. With great sadness, Kevin passed away in 2000 at an early age from his own battle with cancer.

Mary and Peter met during a real estate transaction to purchase a former aerospace facility in Pico Rivera. They enjoyed negotiating with each other over a year's period and developed a strong friendship. Peter was smitten by her beauty and intellect and fell in love with her. They were subsequently set up on a date by friends and Mary found love for a second time. They were married in 2002 and shared an incredible life together.

Mary retired from her law practice in 2004 to spend more time with her boys who were entering Newport Harbor High School. Mary supported all of the boy's events and loved cheering loudly at their games. She also liked to travel extensively with her family including many summer trips to La Grulla, Rancho Las Cruces and Moonstone on Catalina Island. Mary enjoyed boating with her family and was a member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. She also played golf and was a member of Big Canyon Country Club and Eldorado Country Club. Mary loved spending time at their home in Indian Wells with their family and good friends. She was a long time member of St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach where she taught Sunday school.

Mary was preceded in death by her first husband Kevin Green, and by her mother Alice McIllece Harris. She is survived by her husband Peter Rooney and her two sons Brett Green and J.B. Green, and her brother, James McIlece (SPHS '75). Mary loved her children more than anything else. Brett and J.B. were the light of her life and she was so proud of her accomplished sons. She had a strong faith in God and surrounded herself with people who shared her faith. She touched so many people's heart during her incredibly rich life. Mary was an amazing example of grace, high standards, loyalty and infinite compassion. She will be forever missed by all and her beautiful legacy will long be remembered.

Orange County Register, May 9, 2021