Mary M. Crehan

Mary Crehan was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 10th, 2024. She was born on May 8, 1932, in the Bronx, NY, the second of four girls in a close-knit family. Her sisters, Ellen, Margaret (Marge), and Elizabeth (Betty), were her lifelong friends and confidants. She is survived by her younger sister, Marge, who resides in South Carolina.

Mary grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, but she never let the hardships of those times dampen her spirit. She cherished the simple joys of life, such as spending summers at Mastic Beach with her family, reading books from the library, and attending church. She was a bright and diligent student who earned a scholarship to Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, where she graduated with honors.

Mary met the love of her life, Jim, at a dance in 1954. They fell in love and married on September 3rd, 1955. They were blessed with four children: Jim, Tom, Karen, and Kevin. Mary devoted herself to raising her children with love, care, and fairness. She always made sure they had everything they needed and encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

When her children were grown, Mary returned to work as a representative for the telephone company, where she had a successful career until her retirement. She was an adventurous person who had a passion for history and antiques. She and Jim traveled the world together, visiting all 50 states of the United States, many countries in Europe, China, Russia, Australia, Mexico, and even the ancient ruins of Rome and the pyramids of Egypt. She loved to learn about different cultures and share her experiences with her family and friends.

Mary was also a creative and talented person who enjoyed painting and writing short stories. She joined several clubs and organizations after her retirement, such as the Columbiettes, the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Bayside Senior Center, the Beech Hill Senior Center, and the Leisure Club. She was an active and respected member who served on the board of the BSC and she earned 11 different certificates for her volunteer work. Mary also taught a weekly class for living a healthy lifestyle. She was always eager to share her knowledge and wisdom with others.

Mary was a lucky and generous person who often won bingo at the Leisure Club and volunteered to call the numbers for others. She loved to go for long walks and greet everyone with a smile. She was a warm and friendly person who made friends wherever she went.

Mary was a proud and happy person who celebrated the milestones and achievements of her family. She was overjoyed to see her children marry their spouses: Jim and Shui, Tom and Gia, Karen and Eddy, and Kevin and Debbie. She loved her eight grandchildren: Tara, Stacie, Jeanette, Steven, Cynthia, Andrew, Robert, and Matthew. She was delighted to welcome her three great-grandchildren: Caitlyn, Sal, and Ronny.

She loved to get the family together for the holidays and bake her favorite recipes, especially at Christmas time. Her favorite slogan, which she would say often, was “Enjoy, enjoy, life’s too short.” And she did. She enjoyed every moment of her life and made the world a better place with her presence.

Mary Crehan will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will always be remembered as a woman who lived a remarkable life. May she rest in peace.