Mary Theresa, RN Neary (Maher)

Died April 3rd in the presence of her daughter and son-in-law with whom she resided after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born November 30th, 1937 in Point Moll, Argentia to Mary Jane (Mae) Bruce and Michael Joseph Maher. Predeceased by her husband Stephen A. Neary, son-in-law David Zucca, brothers Daniel Pius Maher, James Maher, Michael Maher, brothers-in-law John Neary, Gerald Neary, John Durkin, and Bob Carney, sisters-in-law, Mary Neary, Margaret Durkin, Helen Neary, Winnie Neary, Katherine Maher and Effie Maher. Also nieces and nephews, Gerald Neary, Thomasina Maher, Hal Carney, Patty Carney, Paula Neary, as well her Uncle Peter Bruce of Aviemore, Scotland.

Leaving to mourn her daughters, Andrea (Al Harris), Woodstock, Ontario, Stephanie (Aubrey Gover) St. John’s, Monique, Vietnam and Pierre (Cherylene), St. John’s. Her beloved grandchildren Matthew Zucca, Ottawa, Isabelle Zucca, Toronto. Her two devoted nephews who were an amazing support to their Minnie, Gavin Maher (Stacey), their daughter Kierra, of Arizona, Matthew Maher (Kristin), and their children Conor, Rowan and Callum, Nashville, and their mother, her sister-in-law Melanie Richards (Dick), Arizona. Her sisters Margaret Carney, New Jersey, Joan Eichhorn (Charlie), Florida, Anne Marie Sullivan (Bruce), Hamilton, Pauline DePaulo (Doug), Ottawa, her only remaining brother, Edward Maher, Hamilton, brother-in-law Dr. Peter F. (Hillary) Neary, London and sister-in-law Anna (Dave) Reed, Kingston. As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, from New Jersey, Florida, Triton, Ontario, California, South Carolina, Scotland, and Japan, and her Auntie Mary Bruce of Aviemore, Scotland. Thanks as well to the caregivers, and all the medical professionals who helped her on this journey.

Mary was one of the last of her family be born in Point Moll, Argentia. The family home was expropriated during WWII to make way for an American Base. Her family was moved to Freshwater, Placentia Bay where she went to school and dreamed of becoming a nurse. She entered the RN program at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and graduated in 1958. Her classmates remained lifelong friends, and brought her such joy at the end of her life. After graduation, Mary worked at the Placentia Cottage Hospital for a year. The following year she attended Dalhousie University to study Public Health and returned to St. John’s to work as a Public Health Nurse. As a Public Health Nurse she travelled across the province, she worked in Bonne Bay, St. Lawrence, New Perlican, Burin, Whitbourne, just to name a few places. She moved to St. John’s when she married and worked at the Janeway ICU, for many years at the Emergency Department of the former General Hospital, managed a Community Care Program for the Waterford Hospital, and finished her career at the Health Sciences Centre. Nursing was a calling, to Mary, not a job. Mary often said, “When you are a nurse you will know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours.”

Mary and Steve lived their lives dedicated to the service of others. Their door was always open to everyone at all times which produced an exciting life. Through it all, they always danced together. Mary loved to sew, bake, quilt, and tend to her vegetable garden. Every fall was spent making jam and pickles for friends and family. Mary lived a life of purpose, great faith, always caring, never complaining, always finding a reason to laugh, and was grateful for all the joys in her life. Funeral Mass will take place on May 19th at 10 AM at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, with internment to follow at Holy Sepulchre, with a reception at the Members Lounge at Clovelly Golf Course from Noon to 5 PM also on the 19th. For those wishing to make a donation in Mary’s memory, donations may be made to the Gathering Place.