Mary Rose Moriarity
December 12, 1919 — February 12, 2016
Mary Rose Moriarity
Mary Moriarity, prominent business woman, devout Catholic, super realtor, wife, sister and Aunt Mary to many, passed away on February 11, 2016 at the age of 96.
Born into a family of eleven siblings with strong Irish Catholic roots and an ancestry (Snow/Hopkins) that dates back to the Mayflower, Mary will best be remembered for her feisty spirit. “Mary lived life to the fullest,” said her sister Terry Stalowski Kopec. “There was never a dull moment in Mary’s life. She was the leader of the pack, whether at home or out in the community” according to Terry.
Mary began her professional career as a Secretary for RCA in New York City. After marrying Sam Moriarity, she moved on to Potsdam, NY where they owned a fishing camp on Joe Indian Lake and Mary held the position as Town Clerk. Upon Sam’s retirement, for years, Mary and Sam traveled extensively in their Airstream visiting national parks throughout the country, her favorites being Smoky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon. Vowing never to retire, in the sixties Mary moved to Boynton Beach where she found a special community to continue her leadership role. For several years she served as President of the Kiwanis Club, Officer with the Chamber of Commerce and numerous civic organizations. For decades Mary was out and about in Palm Beach County promoting business and selling real estate with her longtime friend Ann Barrett. Mary owned Coast Line Realty and property along A-1-A. The forever social being, Mary, hosted so many meetings at her home that someone once said that Mary’s house had more chairs than a funeral home. No wonder, Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home frequently had to provide chairs for her overflow Church Christmas parties.
Perhaps Mary’s greatest joy came from her love of St. Mark’s Church. If Mary missed Mass, someone would check on her. According to Sister Mary Joan, “Mary always ruled the roost and was devoted to the Church. She was instrumental in establishing a Pastoral Office, was generous and always the Hostess with the Mostest.” Mary served as President of the Council of Christian Women and continued as Eucharistic Minister until the age of 90.
“She lived a life that’s full, she traveled every highway and more than this…Aunt Mary did it her way” said her niece Patti Webster quoting from Frank Sinatra’s famous song, which the family swears was written for Mary. “However, not only did she do it her way…Mary did it for just as long as she wanted.”
She proudly and steadfastly held her realtor’s license until 95 years old and was still driving her convertible “her way” down Congress, not always without notice of the authorities. Mary continued to take great pride in her appearance, never leaving home without her heels and absolutely never missing her hairdresser’s appointment.
Never deviating from her appreciation of the finer things in life and her Catholic roots, Mary lived out her last two years at the Lourdes-Noreen McKeen Residence, a resort style retirement home located on the Inter Coastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, where she continued to attend almost daily Mass, get her hair done and socialize.
Mary will be missed by her sister Theresa Kopec, nieces Patti Webster, Kathleen Scott, Judy Wood and Barbara Bridge and nephews Vincent and Father Steven Stalowski and all too many church, business and personal friends to mention. Mary especially cherished her friendships with Susan Engle, whom she often called her Guardian Angel. The family, mostly living out of state, thanks everyone who cared for Mary at times when we were unable to be there. God bless you all.
Family and friends will celebrate Mary’s life on Friday, February 19th at 12:30 PM at St. Mark Catholic Church, 643 St Mark Place, Boynton Beach. In lieu of flowers, Mass cards would be very appreciated.
Mary Moriarity, prominent business woman, devout Catholic, super realtor, wife, sister and Aunt Mary to many, passed away on February 11, 2016 at the age of 96.
Born into a family of eleven siblings with strong Irish Catholic roots and an ancestry (Snow/Hopkins) that dates back to the Mayflower, Mary will best be remembered for her feisty spirit. “Mary lived life to the fullest,” said her sister Terry Stalowski Kopec. “There was never a dull moment in Mary’s life. She was the leader of the pack, whether at home or out in the community” according to Terry.
Mary began her professional career as a Secretary for RCA in New York City. After marrying Sam Moriarity, she moved on to Potsdam, NY where they owned a fishing camp on Joe Indian Lake and Mary held the position as Town Clerk. Upon Sam’s retirement, for years, Mary and Sam traveled extensively in their Airstream visiting national parks throughout the country, her favorites being Smoky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon. Vowing never to retire, in the sixties Mary moved to Boynton Beach where she found a special community to continue her leadership role. For several years she served as President of the Kiwanis Club, Officer with the Chamber of Commerce and numerous civic organizations. For decades Mary was out and about in Palm Beach County promoting business and selling real estate with her longtime friend Ann Barrett. Mary owned Coast Line Realty and property along A-1-A. The forever social being, Mary, hosted so many meetings at her home that someone once said that Mary’s house had more chairs than a funeral home. No wonder, Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home frequently had to provide chairs for her overflow Church Christmas parties.
Perhaps Mary’s greatest joy came from her love of St. Mark’s Church. If Mary missed Mass, someone would check on her. According to Sister Mary Joan, “Mary always ruled the roost and was devoted to the Church. She was instrumental in establishing a Pastoral Office, was generous and always the Hostess with the Mostest.” Mary served as President of the Council of Christian Women and continued as Eucharistic Minister until the age of 90.
“She lived a life that’s full, she traveled every highway and more than this…Aunt Mary did it her way” said her niece Patti Webster quoting from Frank Sinatra’s famous song, which the family swears was written for Mary. “However, not only did she do it her way…Mary did it for just as long as she wanted.”
She proudly and steadfastly held her realtor’s license until 95 years old and was still driving her convertible “her way” down Congress, not always without notice of the authorities. Mary continued to take great pride in her appearance, never leaving home without her heels and absolutely never missing her hairdresser’s appointment.
Never deviating from her appreciation of the finer things in life and her Catholic roots, Mary lived out her last two years at the Lourdes-Noreen McKeen Residence, a resort style retirement home located on the Inter Coastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, where she continued to attend almost daily Mass, get her hair done and socialize.
Mary will be missed by her sister Theresa Kopec, nieces Patti Webster, Kathleen Scott, Judy Wood and Barbara Bridge and nephews Vincent and Father Steven Stalowski and all too many church, business and personal friends to mention. Mary especially cherished her friendships with Susan Engle, whom she often called her Guardian Angel. The family, mostly living out of state, thanks everyone who cared for Mary at times when we were unable to be there. God bless you all.
Family and friends will celebrate Mary’s life on Friday, February 19th at 12:30 PM at St. Mark Catholic Church, 643 St Mark Place, Boynton Beach. In lieu of flowers, Mass cards would be very appreciated.
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