Roscommon native laid to rest in New York

The death occurred on October 18th in New York of Mrs Mary J. O’Brien (nee Scally), a former secretary of the Roscommon Society of New York.

Mary was born on December 1st, 1938 in Cloonbunny, Loughglynn, to Martin and Annie Ellie Scally (née Doherty). She was one of six children: she had three brothers James (Seamus), Michael, and Martin (Mattie), and two sisters Kathleen Guilfoyle and Anne Francis Garrahy. After finishing national school, she worked in both the local convent and the post office. At the age of 18 she boarded a train in Castlerea, and headed to Cobh, County Cork where she set sail for New York with ten borrowed dollars in her pocket.

Mary settled in Brooklyn where her sister Kathleen had emigrated to, along with some uncles. It was there in the dance halls of Brooklyn that she met her future husband Patrick O’Brien. They danced in City Centre and travelled up to Gaelic Park for matches and dances.

Mary and Patrick were married in St. Augustine’s in Brooklyn on April 18th, 1964. They settled in Park Slope and later Flatbush, where they started their family. Mary, Patrick, Michael and Martin were all born in Brooklyn. Later in 1972 they decided to move out to Long Island and settled in Holy Spirit Parish in New Hyde Park, taking the same path as many other Irish immigrants. In 1979 their daughter Geraldine was born and then in 1980 they moved up to Notre Dame Parish also in New Hyde Park.

Their family has expanded to include Dale (Martin’s wife), Fran (Michael’s wife), and Joseph Massey (Geraldine’s husband), along with their 10 grandchildren, Claire, Christopher, Aileen, Liam, Hannah, Jacqueline, Jack, Darren, Cormac, and Dermot and one great granddaughter, Morgan.

Mary was involved in many religious organisations, including the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association where she was awarded a 60 year membership medal, as well as the Rosary Altar Society at Notre Dame, where she served as president.

She was also involved in many Irish organisations including the County Roscommon Society of New York, where she served as secretary. She was a member of the Roscommon Supporters Club in New York, a member of the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens, where she also served as secretary and chaired many dances. Mary was honoured as the aide to the Grand Marshal in the Mineola/Garden City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She was a delegate to the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the United Irish Counties Association of NY for many years. She was also a member of the Parents and Students of Irish Dancing and Music Association of North America.

When not involved with her culture or her faith, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was a huge fan of the St. John’s men’s basketball team, making many trips into Madison Square Garden and Carnesecca Arena, even up until last season. She never missed the opportunity to watch a sporting event, whether it was for one of her own children or grandchildren, or even a soccer match on the television with the sound on mute because the broadcast was not in English!

She will be sadly missed by many, but the memories she created will be remembered forever.

Following her Funeral Mass on Friday last in Notre Dame Church, Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park she was laid to rest in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, New York.