Mary Katherine (MaryKay) Reynolds

Beloved wife, devoted mother, doting grandmother, and loyal friend, Mary Katherine Reynolds of Culver City passed away at her home on Sunday, October 12th, surrounded by family.

Only 58 years old, MaryKay, as she was known, enjoyed a rich and full life. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50, she survived cancer free after treatment for six years until the cancer metastasized.

MaryKay is most remembered by her family and friends for her extreme generosity and kindness to all.  She never passed on the chance to help where she could, and she did so unconditionally.  She encouraged others to reach for the highest standards and led by example.

Born to an Irish Catholic family in Chicago, Illinois, MaryKay was the third of ten children of Laverne and Thomas McNally.  She grew up in Eagle Rock, California.  She loved reading, tending to her rose garden, chocolates, and dogs, and she took responsibility for caring for her younger siblings, even lining them up and walking them in formation to school.

She was an excellent student and leader at Holy Family Catholic School, except as she used to say, when she wore colorful stripped socks that brought out her mischievous side.  Upon graduation, she earned a scholarship to Santa Clara University, where she fell in love with Barry Reynolds, who became her husband of nearly 37 years.  It was only death that parted them.

MaryKay graduated from Loyola Law School in 1979 and excelled as a trial attorney who upheld the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.  Described by her adversaries as “masterful”, she at one point handled more than 400 cases related to tariff undercharges that earned her the accolades of peers and clients.  She served as National Secretary of the Association for Transportation Law, Logistics, and Policy, was involved for years in the Association of Transportation Law Professionals, chaired the national ATP Litigation Committee and was on the Executive Committee of the Transportation Lawyers Association.     

She balanced her love of her work with her care and dedication to her family. She would entertain 20-30 visitors for the holidays, sharing with others her meals made from scratch and her excellent pies and other baked goods.  One of her best experiences was a six week pilgrimage through Spain along the Camino de Santiago, during which she hiked 425 miles along with her son, Damien, and childhood friend,Victoria Lyman.

Mary Kay is survived by her loving husband, Barry Reynolds, and her grateful children, Lauren Reynolds-Connelly and Damien Reynolds, Lauren’s husband Brian, and grandchildren Jake and Aiden Connelly.  She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Thomas McNally Jr., Maureen McNally, Patrice Thornton, Therese Warhol, Terrence McNally, Brian McNally, Daniel McNally, Michelle Krebbers and Kim McNally and their families. 

A memorial will be held at 3PM on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church of Culver City.  4427 Overland Ave, Culver City, Ca 90230.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Room 8302, LA, CA 90033.   Please indicate “In Memory of Mary Kay Reynolds.”