Obituary of Mary Finnegan

"So glad you met me" South Plainfield - Mary Teresa Finnegan, 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her devoted family on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at home. Born to the late Daniel and Grace Boyle in Bayonne, Mary is a 1947 graduate of Holy Family High School. In 1955, she settled to South Plainfield. Before taking on the roll as a full time mother to her four children, Mary worked at NJ Bell Telephone Company in Bayonne as a switch board operator. Later in life, she worked as a manager for the former Gift Garden in South Plainfield. On Christmas Eve of 1944, at Café Savory in Atlantic City, she met an Irish looking man named Denis J. Finnegan. Their love at first sight lead to marriage two years later on November 16, 1946. Known as "Mother Mary" to her children, the couple quickly started and raised their family, which she took great pride in. Her family meant everything to her and she only wanted more time to spend with them. Mary was active with AARP and served as Treasurer. She was also a faithful communicant of Sacred Heart RC Church and member of the Holy Rosary Society. Predeceased by her husband of sixty four years, Denis, and brother, Denis Boyle, surviving are four loving children; Denis and wife Gail, Maureen Davis and husband Billy, Kevin and Kathleen Downes and husband Michael, seven cherished grandchildren; Kara Irving and husband, Dave, Shane Finnegan and wife Maggie, Erin England and husband Josh, Michael Downes, Kelly Downes, Brandon Downes and Justin Machado and four adored great grandchildren; Finn, Eli and Estee Irving and Will Finnegan Funeral services will begin on Monday June 30, 2014 at 9AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield NJ 07080 followed by a funeral mass in Sacred Heart RC Church, South Plainfield at 10AM. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Family and friends may attend visitation on Sunday June 29, 2014 from 4-8PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, send wine, the sweeter the better! Or a donation may be made to Haven Hospice C/O JFK Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison NJ 08820 or Scared Heart RC Church, 149 South Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield NJ 07080.