OSWEGO, NY – Mary FitzGibbons Conway, 81, passed away on Monday June 6, 2016, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
She was born in Oswego, January 30, 1935, the third and last child of George and Ellen (Miller) FitzGibbons.
She attended St. Paul’s Academy, Oswego High School, and received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.
While working at the Oswego Hospital following her graduation, she met John O’Connor Conway and, much to her delight, married him in 1962.
Their only child, Ellen Nolan Conway, was born in 1965.
As first lady of Oswego, following her husband’s election as mayor, she was very active in local politics and, over the years, participated in many activities at St. Paul’s and Bishop Cunningham High School.
Following her husband’s death in 1994, Mary returned to work at Oswego Hospital and satisfied her love for children while working as a school nurse.
She retired as the most senior active employee in the entire district in 2009.
“Mimi,” as she was known to her many admirers, dearly loved her nieces and nephews, godchildren, and the countless friends whom she considered family.
Known for her sweet tooth and open door policy, Mimi always had plenty of time in retirement for visitors at East Seventh Street and was keenly interested in the lives of everyone, as was evidenced by the hundreds of photos she displayed at her home.
In 2006, Mimi joyfully took on her most cherished role of grandmother following the birth of her grandchildren, twins Conway and Louise Kelly.
The time she spent with the two “loves of her life” was highly valued, and in August of 2015 she made the brave move to Wilmington, North Carolina, to spend her remaining months enjoying Conway and Louise.
In October of 2015 she, along with many family members and close friends, was able to partake in the wedding celebration of her daughter and happily gained a son-in-law, Glenn Garrett; and two new grandchildren, Hannah and Samantha Garrett.
In addition to her North Carolina family, she is survived by her older brother and dear friend, John “Jack” FitzGibbons, of Oswego; and many nieces and nephews.
Upon her death, she was reunited with her closest friend, her sister, Julia FitzGibbons Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home.
Private burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the funeral home, 112 E. Second St., Oswego.
Following the funeral, the “afterglow” will be held at Alex’s on the Water, on East First Street in Oswego.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Hereditary Disease Foundation.
These donations will help fund research into Huntington’s Disease, which has impacted the lives of many, including some who were loved and cherished by Mimi.
Contributions can be made at www.hdfoundation.org
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I have never met a nicer person in my life.
I feel so fortunate and honored to have known her as a person and a school nurse.
She loved the children at school and made each and everyone of them feel loved and special. She was the special one in all of our eyes.
Mary, I love you and will miss you dearly. Roxanne