Obituary of Mary C. Cooney

Mary Catherine Cooney the oldest of M. John and Catherine (Petty) Cooney's 6 children was born in Binghamton, NY on July 19, 1941 and passed into her eternal reward on March 15, 2025 at Mercy House in Endicott, NY. Mary graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Binghamton and joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province. After graduation from the College of Saint Rose she taught at several Catholic schools in the Syracuse Diocese including St. John the Evangelist in Syracuse and Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton. When her mother Catherine developed Alzheimer's Mary retired and moved in with her to provide long term care. She remained active as an associate in the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet Mary loved her family and never missed a family event. After her mother passed, she took on the role of Family Matriarch. She hosted many family events at her home. It was typical for thirty to forty people to be there on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Her home was always open for out-of-town relatives and visitors. There are many years of "stair pictures" that show this hospitality and her deep commitment to family and friends. Mary played a major role in in the lives of her nieces and nephews. They, and their children, have fond memories of the trips to State Park, the Roberson Museum, Ross Park Zoo and the Discovery Center. She cherished her time with them. They all knew; without a doubt, that they were loved unconditionally. She will be dearly missed Mary Catherine was pre-deceased by her mother and father, sisters Nancy Wright, Rita Cooney-Clark, brother Michael J. Cooney and her nephew John P. Cooney. She is survived by her sisters Janet Rose and Dianne (Ron) LeClair, brother-in-law John Clark and many nieces and nephews and cousins. In a final act of selflessness, Mary donated her body for medical research. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff of Good Shepherd Fairview Home, the staf and volunteers of Mercy House, and Sister Lucia for their compassionate care during Mary's final days. A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Paul's Church, Chenango Street, Binghamton, Saturday March 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. Expressions of sympathy in Mary's memory may be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 N. McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.