Mary D. McCarren

MARY D. MCCARREN of Eastchester NY, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2022. She was 100 years old. Mary was born to parents Cecilia and John Donohue in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on May 23, 1922. She moved to New Rochelle, N.Y. where she attended Holy Family School, New Rochelle High School, the College of New Rochelle, and Katherine Gibbs. Mary  went on to work as a secretary for the Asphalt Company in N.Y.C. and then for the Holy Family CCD program.

 Mary married the love of her life, William J. McCarren, on June 12, 1948.  They were blessed with five children, twelve grandchildren and twelve great- grandchildren.  She is also an aunt to nineteen nieces and nephews.  Her most cherished title was "Mom", "Grandma" and "Great Grandma.”   

Mary loved helping others by volunteering in her community. All the way back to World War II, she was a candy striper volunteer in New Rochelle Hospital. She was an active member of St. Catherine's Parish in Pelham, N.Y. for more than 70 years where she was a "Greeter" at mass and a Prayer Group member. Mary was a PTA member, class mother, Girl Scout leader and a member of the Southern Westchester Ecumenical Council.  She provided rides to church for "senior" neighbors and no neighbor was ever alone on a holiday because they were at her dining room table!

Mary enjoyed playing duets with her daughters and listening to her husband play the piano. She actively cheered on her children and grandchildren at numerous sporting events and spent many hours playing cards with her neighborhood "ladies". Mary loved reading and watching mysteries while enjoying a Hershey bar always provided by her husband. She lived her Christian faith by continuing to be a role model for respect, kindness, giving and gratitude by always supporting her family, neighbors, and church. Mary has had a wonderful and long life. The world was a very different place than when she was born 100 years ago, and she had been a true witness to history!  She will be missed terribly by all who knew her.

Mary is Survived by two sons, William J. McCarren Jr. (Angela); John D. McCarren (Carol); and three daughters, Mary Kate McCarren; Cecilia Cleary; and Margaret Hooper; Twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her loving husband William J. McCarren; her two brothers John W. Donohue, S.J. and James P. Donohue and her sister Cecilia D. Paulmann.

A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham New York on Tuesday, September 27th from 4-8pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Catharine’s Church located at 25 Second Avenue, Pelham, New York on Wednesday, September 28th at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com