Bridget P. Foley

Bridget (Bridie) Foley (nee Candon) called Staten Island home for almost 60 years. Bridie was born on a farm near Ballinifad in County Sligo, Ireland as the tenth child in a family of twelve. When she was 17, she moved to England for Nurse’s Training. After completing her training, she worked as a nurse there for several years before emigrating to the United States. She first lived in Chicopee, Massachusetts then she moved to Brooklyn, New York near her dear friend, Mary (O’Connor) Callaghan. Bridie and Mary became friends during Nurse’s Training in England and have remained close friends for more than 70 years.

While in Brooklyn, Bridie met her late husband, Thomas Foley, a Brooklyn native. They bought a home in Staten Island where they raised their family.

Bridie had a career as nurse, working for decades at the former St. Vincent’s hospital here on Staten Island. Over the course of her career, Bridie worked in a variety of roles, from pediatrics to private duty to geriatric mental health.

As a friend recently described her, Bridie had an open heart and welcomed many people into her life. She loved to entertain and would frequently host family and friends at her home for Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day. She was an active volunteer for many different causes.

Bridie enjoyed many social clubs in her retirement, including the CYO senior center, the Todt Hill Friendship Club, and the Westerleigh AARP group.

In addition to her volunteer work and social activities, Bridie was an avid traveler. She visited her family in Ireland frequently. Bridie made regular trips to Florida, as well as trips across the country and around the world.

Bridie’s siblings have all predeceased her (Mick, Owen, John, Martin, Jim, May, Anne, Joseph, Patrick, Margaret and Dermot).

Bridie is survived by her daughter, Diane Foley, her son, Thomas Foley IV, her beloved grandson, Tom (TJ) Foley and his wife, Mary Foley (nee Niles).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Bridie’s memory to VNS Health, who provided care during the last year of her life, or the American Heart Association.

VNS Health

On-line donation form: (VNS Health Donation Form (salsalabs.org))

Or mail to: VNH Health, P.O. Box 6445 New York, NY 10249

American Heart Association

On line donation form: https://www.heart.org/

Or mail to: American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692