Mary Avanzino

Mary Keenan Avanzino, 94, passed away at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center on February 2, 2022 after a short illness. Born and raised in Gortletteragh Parish, County Leitrim, Ireland, Mary emigrated to the United States in 1948. In 1957, she married her late husband, John B. Avanzino, Esq., Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. Mary is also predeceased by her parents, Margaret Murphy Keenan and James Keenan, her sister, Elizabeth Papierowicz, and brother, Robert Conroy. Mary is survived by her children, John (Angelicque), Louisa, and James (Iris), and her “adopted son,” Gabriel. Mary is also survived by her four grandchildren, John, Corinne, Jackson, and Jesse. She was the loving matriarch of the Keenan Family and is survived by many Keenan, Coyle, and Williams’ cousins. Mary is also survived by Mary Louise, Terrie, and Robert Conroy Jr (Karen). Throughout her life, Mary was a tireless volunteer at many community organizations and schools—St. Angela Hall Academy, St. Saviour Elementary School, St. Francis Xavier Church, The Madonna Residence, CHIPS, and The Park Slope Safe Homes Project, to name a few. Mary was a proud member of The Brooklyn Bridge Rotary Club and the President of The Brooklyn Woman’s Club. She was named Woman of the Year by The Brooklyn Bridge Rotary Club in 2016, received a Proclamation from Senator Martin J. Golden in 2017, Woman of the Year by The Brooklyn Woman’s Club in 2019, and she also received a Proclamation from Assembly Member Robert C. Carroll in 2019. Most importantly, Mary radiated love and kindness. Her door was always open and her kitchen table laden with goodies for the neighbor, friend, or relative who needed an ear to listen, and a bite to eat. Mary’s loss will be felt most by her immediate family. Her caring, wisdom, and sense of humor were only eclipsed by her deep love for her children and grandchildren. She shared her adventurous spirit, love of travel, and her strong Catholic faith with them. Mary was an incredible second mother and grandmother to so many who also mourn her loss. The family would like to thank Mary’s “team,” Adelina, Iva, Karina, Kate, Krida, and Peggy. You all enriched Mary’s life and helped her keep her independence throughout this difficult time. The Captain of Mary’s “team” is our tireless champion and close family friend, Judy Fallon, who moved mountains to help us provide the finest medical care and comfort for Mary. Your love is a gift. Visitation at Joseph G. Duffy Funeral Home, 255 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, 2/06/2022 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM and Monday, 2/07/2022 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, 2/08/22 at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY at 10:30 AM. Internment at Calvary Cemetery, Queens, NY.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be sent to the American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org, or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), http://www.alzfdn.org