Mary Veronica Nealy

Mary Veronica Nealy, 87, of Clearwater, Florida, beloved wife of James Theodore Nealy, passed on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Mary was born and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. Her early life was not easy. She lived in an Orphanage called Highland Heights. When she left the orphanage, at the age of sixteen, she worked as a Mother’s Helper and had her first experience of what ‘Family” was.

Mary worked as a cosmetologist in Westport, Connecticut for several years. In April of 1954, at Seaside Park, in Bridgeport, CT., Mary met a young WWII Veteran who would change her life. Mary and Jim were married six months later on October 16, 1954.

Mary and Jim lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut for 35 years and struggled during those early years. Jim worked two jobs to support the family. They had four children in less than three years; Patrick, Terrie, Michael, and Maryellen. Kathy was born five years later.

Mary went back to work once Kathy started school. She worked first as a waitress and then as a cashier at Stop and Shop in Fairfield, CT. As the children got older, their lives got easier. Jim and Mary were able to travel to France, Germany, and Ireland.

Grandchildren soon started arriving. Mary earned the name that she was affectionately called for years, “Nanny”. Nanny was known for her vibrant Red hair.

In 1992, Mary and Jim retired to Southern California, where they lived until Mary had a stroke in 1999. They relocated to Clearwater, Florida to be closer to their family. Mary loved the holidays, especially Christmas. She loved collecting Dolphins, music boxes and Angels, and enjoyed roller skating, shopping, bowling and playing cards. Mary also loved knitting and crocheting and many of her afghans are still covering the beds of her family.

She will be missed by her beloved husband, Jim of 59 years; children, Patrick (Bernadine) Nealy; Terrie (Ed) Schairer; Michael (Susan) Nealy; Maryellen Nealy; Kathleen (Michael) Young; Grandchildren: Lenny Nealy (Jen Drury), Jim (Heather) Nealy; Sean Mitchell; Erin (Rocco) Cioffi, Heather (John) Torosino, Steven (Heather) Ferrara, Christine Nealy, Dan (Jen) Nealy, Kevin Nealy, Katelyn Young (Steven Nighland), Kimberly Young, Kenny Nealy, and Michael Schairer.

Great-grandchildren, Brittany Nealy; Alexander Bereregeron; Kera Nealy; Lily Nealy; Anthony Cioffi; Aiden Young; Elyse Ferrara and Grayson Nighland.

The family would like to thank the staff at Westchester Gardens in Clearwater, Florida for the care extended to Mary throughout her six year stay.