Mrs. Mary J. Conway

March 3, 1917 - December 27, 2011

Mary J. Conway Loving Mother and Grandmother LOWELL—Mary Josephine (Mahan) Conway, age 94, the beloved mother of James E. Conway of Dracut, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Lowell General Hospital. She was the loving wife of John F. Conway who passed away on August 31, 1963. Mary was born in her beloved “Acre” on March 3, 1917, in the family home at 66 Willie Street, the only child of Irish immigrants James Francis and Mary Josephine (Niland) Mahan from County Galway. Mary was a very happy child and would often speak of her childhood home comprised of her parents, Paternal Grandmother, Ann Tracy, Uncle Patrick Niland, and her bulldog, Teddy. She was a first generation Irish American, proud of her Irish American heritage. Her Mom, “Molly” was her best friend and her lifelong companion. She was a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grammar School and St. Patrick’s High School in Lowell. Mary continued her education earning a degree from the Lowell Commercial College. After her Father died in 1950, Mary married John Frederick Conway in 1953. Molly lived with her daughter and son-in-law until her death in 1959. Mary was widowed in 1963, and raised her only child, James E. Conway. James married Jan Laurin in 1981, and together they gave Mary two beautiful granddaughters, Tracy and Kayla. Mary’s earliest employment was with Pollard’s Department Store in downtown Lowell where she created window displays. She was also an advertising executive there. Mary then worked for the Lowell Sun in the proof room. She spent the next 30 years of her career as a proof reader for the Courier Citizen Company of Lowell, retiring in 1977. Following her retirement, Mary had a late life career change. She was employed by the Lowell Council on Aging and the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley as a case/outreach worker, a job in which she truly enjoyed helping others. Mary planned and hosted numerous council trips. As a volunteer, Mary was involved in the CCD program at the Immaculate Conception Parish, where she was also a communicant. She was also a faithful volunteer at the Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities Food Pantry. Mary was also involved with the City of Lowell School Department as a Recess Aid and reading program instructor. She was also the ombudsman for Elder Services. Mary was a world traveler. She had visited Europe many times; Rome and especially Ireland and the British Isles. She held membership in the Franciscan Order, Secular, at St. Anthony’s Fraternity in Nashua, NH. Mary was a daily communicant for most of her life. She loved to dance and had fond memories of the “Commodore Ballroom.” Among her many hobbies and interests, she loved to paint murals, read, and study Irish History. Mary was also a student of the Bible as well. She adored spending time with her granddaughters and being with her family. Mary also had a tight circle of friends and enjoyed going to lunch with “the club.” Mary was very proud of her Irish Heritage and Roman Catholic Faith. She would host annual St. Patrick’s Day parties at her home. Mary attended daily Mass for most of her life and was a faithful communicant, first at St. Patrick’s Church and later at the Immaculate Conception Church. Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Jan (Laurin) Conway of Dracut; her two cherished granddaughters, Tracy L. Conway and Kayla E. Conway of Dracut; a niece, Brenda Conway of Lowell; and many dear friends too numerous to mention. Mary was in many ways the most generous and loving person that we ever knew. She would always bring a gift or had a surprise for her grandkids when she visited them and would always volunteer to babysit. As much as we all loved her in life, now we will miss her even more. FUNERAL NOTICE CONWAY—In Lowell, December 27, 2011 at Lowell General Hospital. Mary J. (Mahan) Conway, 94, beloved wife of the late John F. Conway. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on FRIDAY from 4 until 8 PM. Mrs. Conway’s Funeral will begin on SATURDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at St. Patrick’s Church, corner of Cross and Suffolk Sts. Lowell. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to St. Patrick’s Parish, 282 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01852. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com