Monica Muriel Sweeney (nee Higgins), 91, of West Babylon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 8, 2021. Muriel loved spending time with her family and cherished every moment with them. She brought joy and happiness to all who she met. Anyone brought into her home could not escape leaving the house without first being blessed with a sprinkle of holy water (that many times ended up in your eyes!) and a heartfelt prayer from her. Her energy for life and the desire for all to be happy seemingly burst out of her all of the time. Muriel modeled her deep faith with her actions; her humanity and love were inspiring.
Born in Manhattan, she was raised in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland, from the time she was one year old. In 1950, Muriel set sail with her sister, Jo, from Cobh, County Cork, Ireland, to New York City. Muriel met her love and partner in life, Pat (who had emigrated from Ireland to NYC in 1949), at a picnic in New York. They married in 1953. After Muriel’s sister, Jo left her position at Newsweek to raise her children, Muriel became Jo’s replacement and thoroughly enjoyed her time there.
Muriel and Pat enjoyed socializing at Irish dances and parties frequently held in and around the City. Residing in the Bronx and parishioners of St. John's, they raised three children. The family moved to West Babylon in November 1969 and became members of Our Lady of Grace Parish. Both Pat and Muriel were active volunteers in the parish and were deeply committed to both their faith and serving the parish community. Most of Muriel’s volunteer efforts were as the “money room banker” for the parish bingo games on Saturday nights. She loved the other volunteers she worked with and missed them dearly in her last years. For many years, she was a volunteer at the East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in West Babylon, first with Pat but then continuing after his passing in 2003. She would bring comfort to those there by saying the rosary with the residence. In 1996, Muriel was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the nursing home. In addition, Muriel and Pat were proud members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Division 2 in Babylon, where they not only socialized but volunteered as well. Pat served as the historian who taught Irish history there, and Muriel baked and served many Irish Soda Bread treats at various functions. Muriel and Pat loved hosting many family members from overseas and enjoyed their visits “back home.” Many summer vacations were spent in East Durham and Leeds meeting up with friends “from home” and Muriel’s sister Jo and her husband, Mike. Muriel’s last years were blessed living with her daughter, Monica and her family, who cared and guided her gently on the last phase of her life’s journey. The love and support Muriel received at the Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home and its Hospice Services were second to none. The family honors and appreciates them for their work and sacrifices in these challenging times.
Muriel was the beloved wife of the late Patrick (2003), devoted mother of Patrick (Laurie), Marie, and Monica (Bob), and cherished grandmother of Jeremy, Emily, Molly, Jessica, and John Patrick, and loving sister to the late Jo Beirne (2020). Muriel will be missed dearly by her many close relatives and friends.
The wake for Muriel will be at the Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home 448 W Main St, Babylon, NY 11702 on Friday, May 14th from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Grace Church 666 Albin Ave, West Babylon, NY on Saturday, May 15th at 9:00 AM. Interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Babylon will follow the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Community Hospice of Saratoga 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, or to the Northeastern New York Alzheimer’s Association.
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