Maria J. Harney

Maria J. Harney (nee Persin), age 73, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Maria is survived by her husband of 56 years, Mike Harney; children: Laura (Dan) Roeske, Kim (Matthew) Zimny; 5 grandchildren: Zack (Brittany) Zimny, Josh (Erica) Zimny, Logan (Maddy) Zimny, Danielle (Jon) Hogg, Carson (Tanner) Roeske; 2 great-grandchildren: Michael and Walker Zimny; siblings: Frank, Bob, Sandy, and Ron; and many nieces and nephews.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Genevieve Persin; and brother, Mark Persin.

Maria Persin grew up in the Glen Park area of Gary, Indiana in a large close knit Catholic Croatian family. As the only girl in a rowdy house with five brothers she learned to hold her own. She always said her “gift of gab” came from being part of a big family where everyone talked at the same time so you had to speak up. There was always joking and laughter and lively conversation. Her parents and grandparents doted on their only daughter indulging her love of clothes and fashion at an early age, that was the princess side of her. More importantly they instilled the blessing of a faith filled, loving and supportive family. She shared that blessing with her own family.

She attended St Joseph the Worker Catholic school then went on to Lew Wallace high school where she met Mike Harney. They were high school sweethearts and married on July 15, 1967, and became Maria Harney. After 56 years of marriage, they still held hands and loved dancing together. They created a home together at a very young age, raising their daughters Laura and Kim in Hebron. That same love and support and commitment to family was passed on to their girls. As adult women, Maria’s daughters cherish their amazing mom who was their greatest cheerleader. Not everyone can call their mom, their best friend, but Maria was. On top of that her sons-in- law, Dan and Matt, thought of her as the best mother-in-law anyone could have. That says a lot about Maria.

Being a wife and mother was her most important career. She was a licensed hairdresser in her twenties and worked in retail sales part time at Carson Pirrie Scott, Threads Apparel and The Homestead. Both professions were perfect for Maria since she never met a stranger. Most importantly was her commitment to her family. Once her grandchildren arrived, she devoted herself to being there for them. She nurtured a relationship with each of her five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Besides babysitting, she attended most all the school functions, sport activities and special events that they participated in. Nothing made her smile more than seeing her family gathered together. She would never turn down a game night and was a fierce competitor. It did not matter what kind of game, trivia, cards, board games, word games she would play. She was fun to be around and could make us laugh, even when she was not trying.  One of her greatest gifts was her ability to make any one laugh, even on the toughest day. She suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis and all that comes with an immune disorder for fifty years, but never let it diminish her love of life. She may have looked frail, but she was tough as nails. She was strong where it mattered: Strong in her faith in God and strong in love of family. Maria Harney, loved by all her knew her. We will miss you.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, September 8, 2023, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 302 N Madison St, Hebron, IN 46341 from 10:00 AM until the Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM with Fr. Thomas Mischler officiating.

Burial to follow at Hebron Cemetery in Hebron, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Maria’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; www.stjude.org

Visit Maria’s online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500.