Mary (Kennedy) Nagle

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our mother Mary (Kennedy) Nagle, on March 18, 2025. Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wife. She had reached the impressive age of 91, a testament to her spirit, resilience, and tenacity.

Mary was born in “Southie,” an Irish Catholic neighborhood of Boston. Her early life was not easy beginning with her father’s sudden death from a respiratory illness when she was four. Money was tight and as the oldest child, responsibility began early with helping her mother take care of her younger siblings. As a teenager, she worked at the telephone company. Although she had to contribute much of her salary to her family, she had a bit of extra money which she happily but frugally used to purchase stylish clothes. It was a passion she maintained throughout her life.

At the age of 15, Mary met the love of her life, Fred “Woody” Nagle, whom she married at 19. They were married for 63 years and had four children. Mary was very devoted to her husband and children. She made their clothes, attended sports activities, was a cub scout and girl scout leader, room-mother many times over, and helped with school functions. She relished the accomplishments of her children, wholeheartedly supporting their interests: art, sports, academics; and was instrumental in their successes. Most importantly, she gave them the gift of faith, passing on her Irish Catholic upbringing.

Mary occasionally took odd jobs as she liked to contribute to the household and enjoyed the independence that came with earning her own money. Her favorite job was working as a school crossing guard. She loved interacting with the school children on her route. She made them Easter baskets each year and reminded them all to study and get good grades.

Mary was devout in her Faith. She engaged in a host of Catholic ministries. She served as a Eucharistic minister, participated in Hospital ministry, provided meals to the poor, taught CCD (Sunday school), and involved herself in as many other volunteer opportunities she could. She put her heart and soul in these endeavors. She contributed to the Church, helping to build the new St. Michael’s Catholic church and school in Cary as well as supporting the Diocese.

Later in life, Mary and her husband enjoyed traveling the world, going on cruises, taking care of grandchildren, joking with friends, and gardening.

Mary was friendly to everyone she met. She was beloved by all who crossed her path. She will be deeply missed by friends and fellow parishioners. Her family cherishes the memories of her smile and kindness.

Mary is survived by her brother Frances Xavier Kennedy (Chickie) and sister Patricia Kennedy, and her four children: Marie Webster, Dan Nagle (Val), Patricia Apple (Donnie) and Karen Miller (Johnny). Mary is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Brian Webster (Uschi), Paul Webster (Lauren); Caroline Nagle; Jacob Johnson (Melissa), Sarah Johnson (Gavin) and John Johnson; Erika (Sam) Beaver and Joseph Miller. In addition, Mary is survived by her twelve great grandchildren: Hope Symmons-Webster; Thomas, Sylvie and Zelia Webster, Elara and Mila Jaguar; Evelyn and Mabel Maxfield; Emmett, Levi, Myla Beaver, and another Beaver on the way.

She is preceded in death by husband Fred Nagle, son-in-law Jim Webster, and brothers Joseph Kennedy and Thomas Flynn.

The family will receive friends during a Wake Service, on Wednesday March 26th from 6-8:30 p.m. with a short prayer service to follow at Brown Wynne of Cary Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday March 27th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, with a last viewing one hour prior to the mass in the church parlor.

If lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, NC. Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Nagle family.