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Eileen McGann posted a condolence
Friday, January 22, 2021
In Memory of our mother Mary Pryor - Eulogy
On Saturday, we six children gathered at Mom’s condo. Going through papers, we found letters and tributes that we had exchanged over the years. One letter that Mom wrote to us after the surprise party we’d thrown for her and Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary began, “It is very difficult to find the words to let you all know how much we have to be grateful for in having the kind of family we have!” And that is exactly the position we six are now in, trying to find the words to express how much we have to be grateful for in having Mary Pryor as our mother.
We tried to do it in 1997 when we compiled appreciative memories of what Mom had done for us growing up, of what we admired in her. We tried again at her 85th birthday party, at which everyone there contributed to the list “85 Reasons Why We Love Mimi.” Here are some common themes from those papers:
Mom made sure to teach us that education and the arts are important. She wanted us to be open to many different types of experiences and to enrich our lives. She helped us with homework, took each of us for college visits, gifted us with tickets to Broadway shows, took us to visit the New York museums, gave us piano lessons, or bought art supplies. We admired her own artistic skill in singing, Irish stepdance, sewing, and storytelling (complete with accents when needed). She provided a wonderful home for us, keeping it clean, well organized, aesthetically beautiful, always improving it. Most of us learned how to strip wallpaper by helping our dynamo mother.
And cooking! She was a great cook. Some favorites that were listed in the 85 Reasons We Love Mimi were her sausage bread, shrimp and rice dish, lemon merengue pie, super crisp bacon, Swedish meatballs, pecan pie, Irish soda bread, potato salad, and brownies. All so good.
Mom supported us in athletics – she made sure we each learned how to swim and was there for our two hockey players (up early or out late to get them to practice and cheering them on at games). She actually supported us in everything, putting family first with generosity and selflessness. As both children and adults, we knew with absolute certainty that Mom was there for us no matter what we needed: money, help with a new baby, a place to live during transitions, advice and guidance, or space and freedom to find our own way.
We learned about the importance of faith from her. We grew up with religion not only at church and school but in the home too, with an Advent wreath and prayers every season, grace before meals every night, singing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus each Christmas morning. We watched her live her deep Catholic faith by putting it into action, touching many people’s lives through dedicated involvement in good works: president of the St. Monica Mothers Club at Resurrection, teaching CCD, raising money to support Maryknoll mission work by holding yard sale after yard sale, running the church-wide rummage sale at Resurrection for many years, and more recently working with Helping Hands. Yet, while deeply religious, she wasn’t dogmatic. If ever the rules of religion collided with what she believed was right and just, she came down on the side of right.
Mom loved to travel and was undaunted by wrangling six kids, all their gear and food, maybe a couple of friends, and hauling them to Jones Beach for the day. She organized family vacations to the Jersey Shore, Cape Cod, Maine, and – during the brief three years we lived in Chicago – to Wisconsin Dells. As adults, we loved traveling with her to Italy, Germany, on a cruise to Nova Scotia or Jamaica, or watching her pleasure in travel with Auntie Ann. She treasured her trips with Dad to Puerto Rico and Ireland, and valued keeping strong ties with all our Irish relatives.
Our mother was organized! Efficient in many ways, she got things done and got them done on time. Having that solid dependable kind of mother made our lives very stable and secure, a true gift. She was the heart and soul of our clan, the rock that kept us all together. But at the end, she has turned that responsibility over to us. In a folder labeled “Info to Help after My Demise,” she left clear instructions for her wake and funeral, and gave us this as a final message:
Life is beautiful. Know we are near and will love you always. Continue to love each other. Know that you are all the most important parts of each other’s lives. Be good to one another. We are shaped and sustained by love. Continue to love each other.
Mom, we will. Thank you for everything. We love you.
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Ceil posted a condolence
Monday, January 18, 2021
I remember Mrs Pryor teaching CCD ( I believe the high school boys - she was brave) at Resurrection along with many other church activities.
RIP Mrs Pryor and prayers for you and your family.
Ceil Harrigan
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Maureen posted a condolence
Sunday, January 17, 2021
A woman who loved and lived life to the fullest. What a great example to the community and church she tirelessly gave her time to.
Loving wife,mother, grandmother ,sister, and friend who always made you feel special !!!
My condolences Maureen Eckman
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Evelyn uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 15, 2021
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An amazing lady whose kindness and love radiated out of her whole being. I’m blessed to have known and been loved by her. My condolences to the entire extended family.
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Lynda Van Norman planted a tree in memory of Mary Pryor
Friday, January 15, 2021
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Spike - my deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Maria Restivo-Adams lit a candle
Friday, January 15, 2021
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Marion posted a condolence
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Beautiful lady. We use to go to the senior center together and my son has a great friendship with her daughter Eileen. God Bless her, and I offer my condolences
marion and Joseph Carotenuto
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Diane Bickelman lit a candle
Thursday, January 14, 2021
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The family of Mary Pryor uploaded a photo
Thursday, January 14, 2021
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