She is survived by daughters Kathleen (Michael Dennis) Falotico, Maryellen (Peter) Martinasco and Patricia; daughter-in-law Carolina (Greg Ronkainen) McGrath; grandchildren Christine (Brian) Fitzgerald, Brian (Gerard Mazzara) Falotico, Sharon Falotico, Michael (Kristin) Falotico, Diane (Phillip) Fitzgerald, Maureen (Keith) Tyhanic, Michael (Viviana) Pascarella, Anthony (Allison) McGrath, Whitney McGrath, Jordan (Michael de Leon) McGrath, and James McGrath III; 15 great-grandchildren; and beloved nieces and nephews. She was welcomed into heaven by her husband, James McGrath; her son, James McGrath Jr.; and seven siblings.
Mary was born in 1921 on the Lower East Side of New York City. An early indication of her extraordinary survival skills was that she learned how to swim in the East River and made it out unscathed. She worked for Bell Telephone, and her daily walk to and from work brought her past the local fire station. This is where Jimmy came in.
The firehouse captain suggested often that Mary was a nice-looking young woman, and Jimmy should ask her out. He finally worked up the courage, and though she did not make it easy for him at first, they began dating. They were married on June 24, 1944, and they moved to the Highbridge section of the Bronx to start a family. In 1955, Mary, Jimmy and their four children moved to Emerson, NJ.
Mary and Jimmy soon became active in parish life at Our Lady of the Assumption, where Mary was a Columbiette and a Rosarian. For many years, she worked for Vic Sibilia at Emerson Pharmacy, and as a crossing guard for Assumption School. When they retired, Mary and Jimmy moved to Holiday City in Toms River, NJ. She and Jimmy were founding members of St. Maximillian Kolbe Church, and Mary volunteered as a lector and a Lay Eucharistic Minister. They purchased a home in Boynton Beach, FL, and were snowbirds for several years. After Jimmy passed away, Mary moved to Florida full time. She eventually decided to return to NJ to be closer to her family, buying a home in Lakewood. Four years ago, Mary moved in with her daughter Kathleen’s family in Emerson.
Mary’s love of chocolate was legendary, and she credited it for her long years of good health. She had it stashed all over the house, and the family is still engaged in a scavenger hunt trying to find it all. We’re sure she is having a good laugh over that, and her laugh was one of the very best things about her. Mary also loved the Yankees, unless they lost. In her final years, her favorite shows were Knight Rider and CHiPs. She thought The Hoff was a real looker.
A wake will be held at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, NJ, from 8:30-9:30am on Monday, July 19. The wake will be followed by a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Victories church in Harrington Park at 10am. Interment will follow in Toms River. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Victories parish.
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