Mary Catherine Forys

Mary Catherine Forys, a retired Registered Nurse, dedicated her life and career to unselfish caring and giving to others and her family. Formerly of Washingtonville, NY, she passed away in Summerville, SC on May 16, 2025, at age 94. Mary was born in Vandling, PA, on July 16, 1930, to Catherine and Michael Murnin who had moved to the United States from Bathgate, Scotland, arriving through Ellis Island in 1927.

Mary, as a child, lost her father in a coal mining accident and her mother of great faith raised seven children through hardscrabble times. Each of the Murnin children flourished and led accomplished lives evidencing a familial ethos of resiliency and fortitude that followed them from Scotland.

Mary graduated from Vandling public school where her sister Bridget, a schoolteacher, taught Mary and her brothers. Mary received her Nursing degree at Easton Hospital Nursing School in Easton, PA and upon graduation began a nursing career that spanned 50 years, including work at hospitals and a nursing home. Mary’s special humor and wit, her positive personality and vast knowledge of nursing were admired and valued by her co-workers and her patients. Mary’s exemplary kindness and concern for others did not end with her retirement and health care providers who supported her in her final years were moved by Mary’s enduring mission to do whatever she could to make others happy.

Mary wed Charles Forys of Yonkers, NY on January 17, 1951. They started their family while Mary worked as a Registered Nurse at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers. After the birth of their third child, Mary and Charles left Yonkers and built a new home “in the country” on Duelk Ave in Monroe, NY. For the next 17 years Mary worked as a member of a hospital-wide rapid response team at St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, NY. During that time her husband Charles predeceased Mary in 1969 leaving behind his loving wife and their three children.

Like her mother, by fortitude, faith and love, Mary was successful in raising her children and instilling the values of charity and compassion in her family. Mary continued to work full time as her children completed college, married and started their own families.

Mary left St. Luke’s for a nursing position in the Intensive Care Unit at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Montrose, NY where she remained for 21 years until her retirement. She said the veterans held a special place in her

heart because each of her five brothers had served their country in the military.

Mary continued to live independently and drove her car until age 88 when she transitioned to assisted living near her daughter in Ghent, NY. In 2023 after her daughter moved to South Carolina, Mary relocated to The Villages of Summerville, SC, a Presbyterian Communities senior living community.

Mary’s greatest enjoyment came from taking care of others, being with her family, staying informed about her grandchildren and great grandchildren and talking with her nieces by telephone. She enjoyed buying gifts for her grands, phone calls with friends and relatives, playing bingo and going out for lunch with her friends in Washingtonville. Mary had a special ability to offer encouraging words when needed and she was a constant source of valuable advice especially in matters of health and loving children. She was a fan of the New York Yankees, lottery scratch-off tickets and “occasional” casino visits.

Mary was predeceased by her sister Bridget and her brothers William, James, Michael, Joseph and David Murnin. Also, a grandson, Sean Patrick French from Ghent, NY. Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Washingtonville, NY.

Mary’s legacy and her greatest gift to family and friends was her daily example of how to love on another. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, humor, generosity and exceptional ability to bring a smile to others will be missed dearly.

Survivors include her three children, Charles (Nancy) Forys of Howell, NJ, Catherine (Mark) French of Summerville, SC and Joseph (Diana) Forys of Absecon, NJ. Also, grandchildren Nicole (Ryan) Dragity of Jackson, NJ, Matthew Forys of New York, NY, Craig (Bridget) Forys of Greensboro, NC, Eric (Courtney) French of Summerville, SC, Joseph (Caroline) Forys, Jr. of Wellington, New Zealand, Timothy (Katie) Forys of Brigantine, NJ and Kelly Forys of Absecon, NJ. “GG” Forys is survived by eleven great grandchildren, Gavin and Brielle Dragity, Elle, Rhys and Gwyneth French, Theodore and Eleanor Forys, Lucy, Declan and Kieran Forys and Madelyn Forys. Also, sister-in-law Barbara Murnin and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, at St. Mary’s Church, 42 Goshen Avenue, Washingtonville at 12:00 PM. Arrangements by the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville.

The Rite of Commitment and burial will take place immediately after at the Forys family burial plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 2 Fr. Tierney Circle, Washingtonville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requested contribution in her memory be made to St. Jude’s Hospital, Memphis, TN.