Maureen Edna Grady Carney

If she were here to read this, her own obituary, it would probably be her least favorite thing in the world. She was always more interested in what was going on with everyone else, and so modest about her own talent and accomplishments. But we hope she will forgive us for celebrating her now.

Maureen was born September 20, 1944, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Robert Grady and Edna Mae Grady (nee Coakley). She was the oldest of three, and was very close to her beloved sisters, Kathleen Patricia Tavani and Eileen Patricia Eisele.

She graduated from Pequannock High School in 1962; took a number of trips over the years, including to Hong Kong and Ireland; and enjoyed a long career as a supervisor for American Home.

Maureen married William Carney in 1995 in the town of Oakland, New Jersey. Through her marriage to William, she became a stepmother to Jessica Gupta (nee Carney), a mother-in-law to Shashank Gupta, and a grandmother to their children, Meghan, Tarah, and Anya.

She was a beloved daughter, a loyal sister, a devoted aunt, and a reliable friend.

For her family and close friends, there was a card from Maureen for every occasion, and it was always the first to arrive. If ever you forgot your own birthday, you would be reminded by her card, which arrived without fail, and decorated in her distinctive script—a day or two early. And she was a generous gift giver. She had a lovely practice of knitting blankets for people in the family, and enjoyed celebrating others’ big moments. Just a few weeks ago, she made sure to send a gift on the occasion of the birth of her nephew’s first grandchild.

Maureen was a voracious and astute reader, especially of fiction. She and her sister Kathleen seemed to be in a contest to see who could collect and keep more books. At last we know the contest’s winner: authors everywhere. And it didn’t take a British detective to figure out Maureen’s favorite thing to watch, which was BBC crime procedurals. She was an active member of every group and community she ever belonged to, including the book club she was in until the end of her life. She was a lover of games and silly gifts. Which is another way of saying that Maureen loved to laugh. And she loved to see other people laughing. She was a hub of family activity, a connoisseur of silliness, a brilliant appreciator and connector of people.

Maureen was also an artist. Not only was she a prolific painter, she had an artist's sensibilities in everything she did: her home furnishings and decorations, her clothes, and her sensitive and welcoming manner in the way she related to people.

Remaining to cherish Maureen’s memory are her sister Eileen; her brother-in-law, William Tavani; her step-daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Shashank; her grandchildren, Meghan, Tarah, and Anya; her nieces and nephews, Colleen Maciejczyk (John), Kristin Gaitan (Harold), Jackie Hoffman (Keith), Elizabeth Tavani (Jamie), Matthew Tavani (Heidi), Mark Tavani (Andrea), and Michael Tavani (Cristina); and her best friend, Kathy McNamara.

Preceding Maureen in death are her spouse, William; her parents, Robert and Edna Mae; and her sister Kathleen.

A mass will be held in Maureen’s honor at St. Barnabas Church in Bayville, New Jersey, on November 18th at 11 a.m. There will be no wake or visitation, and Maureen’s family will gather privately to tend to her interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Maureen’s memory may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.