Mary F. Quigley

Mary Frances Quigley passed away on June 18, 2024, while a resident of Wesley Enhanced Living-Stapeley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Mary was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and spent her early years in Iselin before moving to Bayonne with her family.  Mary was the fourth of eight children of James Leo Quigley and Margaret Hepburn Quigley.

From an early age, Mary enjoyed all types of sports!  From backyard wiffle ball with the neighborhood crew to touch football to basketball; she excelled. Mary attended Our Lady Star of the Sea Grammar School and spent her high school years at Holy Family Academy. She successfully tried out for the basketball team and spent four years proudly wearing purple and gold. Basketball truly was her passion.

Mary attended college, playing basketball and softball for the University of Charleston, West Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education.  She chose to enter the teaching profession. She worked with students of all levels at Mount Carmel Guild. Mary then moved to secondary education initially as an instructor and eventually as Director of Athletics at her Alma Mater. She also coached softball and basketball in Clark and Cranford, New Jersey. Her remaining semesters were spent teaching Physical Education in the Jersey City School District for ten years prior to retiring.

Mary was a kind and quiet soul. She tried her best in all that came her way. She enjoyed a good pickup game of basketball and could compete with the best. Many will know of the skills she developed during the summer months. Mary could paint, paper and redo a room long before there was HGTV. She also cared for a number of senior citizens throughout her life and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She had an ability to make anyone, any age, be at ease with themselves. She had a soft spot for the underdog.

Mary faced her illness bravely and made efforts to live a life guided by her spiritual beliefs. Family and faith were priorities for her. Life was a challenge, but like that “almost buzzer shot,” Mary made it count.  She valued time spent with family during holidays and special occasions. The Yankees and the Knicks were her teams, and diet coke her drink of choice.

Mary is survived by her sisters and brothers, Peg Quigley (Kathi Manning), Nancy Dougherty (Bob), Irene Hurley (Leo), Jim Quigley (Kelly), Leo Quigley, Roseann Walsh, Jack Quigley (Maureen). She joins her late brother-in-law, Tom Walsh.  She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many, many Quigley and Hepburn cousins.

Mary enjoyed living at Stapeley and was known as ‘Irish” Mary. She engaged with all she met. Mary often spoke of her gratitude for the many kindnesses she received while a resident.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s family requests that donations can be made in her honor to the Convent of Divine Love, 2212 Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, 904 N. 25th Street, Camden, New Jersey 08105 or NAMI NJ (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 1562 US Highway 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.

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