Mary McDonnell

Mary M. McDonnell (Conrad) of Endicott passed away peacefully on June 10 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Mark F. McDonnell, grandson Adam M. Marhefka, parents Lewis and Florence Dempsey Conrad, sisters Eileen Reno and Rose Marie Conrad, and her sister-in-law Mary Lou McDonnell, for whom she cared for many years. She is survived by her children, Patricia McDonnell (Rick Marhefka) Apalachin, NY, Michael McDonnell (Janis) Avondale, PA, Mark McDonnell (Kathleen) South Berwick, ME, Eileen Parviz (Ed Testani) Santa Clarita, CA, Margaret Harper (Neil) Cary, NC; her grandchildren: Patrick, Bridget, Sarah, Erin, Theresa, Mark, Kianna, Tim, Alicia, Sean, and George; great-grandchildren Benjamin, Samuel, Emma, Liam, Grace, and Brooke; sisters Theresa Fisher, Elizabeth McGee, brother Lewis Conrad, and several nieces and nephews. Mary graduated from Skaneateles High School and received her RN degree from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Carbondale, PA. She practiced nursing at Ideal Hospital and often did private duty nursing after leaving Ideal to raise her family. Mary was dedicated to her faith, family, and friends. She was a long time member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish where she was very active in Altar and Rosary, the school and cafeteria. She was also an active member of St. Ambrose Parish serving on the Bereavement Committee. Mary enjoyed organizing religious retreats and bus trips to shrines for strengthening faith. Mary was the most amazing Mother and Grandmother. She traveled coast to coast, north to south, to attend every graduation, be active in each family’s life, and made memories that will last each of us a lifetime. She enjoyed the company of many friends, taking care of them and helping with doctor appointments, shopping, and visiting. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Ideal Senior Living, Tulip Court, especially Cindy, Cathy, “Trouble,” Tara, Shahid, Chelsea and “B” who gave our Mother many good moments.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday 8:30 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at 9 am. burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Friday from 4-7 pm, with the Recitation of the Rosary at 6:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Mary’s memory may be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.