Mary Haggerty

Career teacher in Catholic schools, beloved mother of five, 'she celebrated family as often as she could'

Mary Ann Haggerty, beloved wife of the late Joseph (Jody) Haggerty, loving mother and grandmother, and dedicated educator, passed away April 18, 2019 in Staten Island University Hospital.

Born Mary Ann Clifford on Jan. 5, 1949 in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx and received the Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John's University, Brooklyn, in 1970. Mrs. Haggerty met her husband during their time at St. John's University. They wed in 1972 and settled in West Brighton.

Upon graduation, Mrs. Haggerty began her teaching career at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral School from 1970-1976. Alongside her husband, they happily purchased Jody's Club Forest in 1976. After taking time off to raise her five children (Maureen, Cornelius, Joseph, Brianne, Terence), she then resumed her teaching career and taught for 32 consecutive years at St. Teresa School. She retired from St. Teresa School in June 2015.

While raising a family and maintaining her professional career, she was a constant presence at Jody's Club Forest. She was instrumental in the success of the original 'NCAA Final Four Basketball Pool'. Mrs. Haggerty enjoyed watching the growth and the success of the restaurant/bar over the years.

Mrs. Haggerty especially enjoyed the role in rearing her grandchildren. She celebrated family as often as she could. Her door was always open as she welcomed family and friends to come by and spend time with her, and she most certainly loved watching her grandchildren enjoy her pool throughout the summertime. They were some of her most favorite moments.

She was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tompkinsville.

Joseph (Jody), her husband of 43 years, died in 2016.

She is survived by her five children, Maureen Bodiford (John), Cornelius Haggerty (Erin), Joseph Haggerty (Melody), Brianne Winters (James) and Terence Haggerty (Meghan); 10 grandchildren, Jillian Bodiford, Shea Haggerty, Jody Winters, Kiley Haggerty, Leah Haggerty, Charlotte Haggerty, Caroline Haggerty, Taylor Haggerty, Joseph Jody Haggerty, and her newest grandson, Andrew Haggerty.

Relatives and friends may attend the viewing on Monday, April 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, April 23, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home. The service is Wednesday, April 24, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities.

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Ave.

Staten Island, N.Y. 10310

(718) 442-5056

Published in Staten Island Advance on Apr. 20, 2019