Obituary of Lucetta Ganley

PEI Native and Longtime Rye Resident Lucetta Ganley, 85, Passes Away 

AUGUST 24, 2023 -- Lucetta (MacDonald) Ganley of Rye, NY, Longboat Key, FL and Little Pond, PEI died peacefully on Wednesday in Greenwich, Connecticut after a lengthy illness. Known as Lu by family and friends, she was the cherished wife of William “Bill” Ganley for more than 53 years, and the loving mother of Douglas (Wendy Beer) and Amiee (William) Munro. 

Born on September 3, 1937, to Clara and John William MacDonald in the Red House community of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Lu was supported by her large extended family following the death of her mother at a young age. 

Known as someone who would break through barriers, Lu was one of the first female students to attend St. Dunstan’s University (now UPEI). She then moved to the Boston area as she developed her passion around nursing and education, earning a BS in Nursing at Boston College and a Master’s degree from Boston University. 

She spent many happy years living in the Back Bay of Boston, where she was introduced to her future husband, Bill, by mutual friends. After they married, and welcomed their two children, Lu’s keen intellect and curious mind led her to embrace progressive maternal care and she became a certified Lamaze instructor and lactation consultant. 

After relocating, first to Chicago, IL, and then to Rye, NY, Lu started her career as a nurse educator, and taught nursing programs throughout the greater New York area. She then became a candidate for a Doctorate in Education at Columbia’s Teacher College. Her passion around quality healthcare led her to serve as the Director of the Cochran School of Nursing at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, leading the program for years until her retirement in 1999. 

Outside of her career, Lu loved playing bridge where she attained the Sapphire Life Master level, enjoying her time alongside partners who were both patient and understanding. She also loved spending time with her loving husband, children, and grandchildren, and going home every year to her cottage on Spry Point in PEI surrounded by extended family and friends. An incredible cook and generous host, Lu loved to entertain and could always be counted on for lively conversation cocktails. 

Lu leaves behind her adored little brother Dunstan (Eleanor) MacDonald of Grimsby, Ontario; her grandsons, Aden and Brodie Ganley of Manhattan, and Mac, JD and Cooper Munro of Wellesley, Massachusetts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and a vast extended family. Many of her cousins in Canada were like sisters and brothers to her and she cherished these close family ties throughout her lifetime. 

A service to commemorate her life will take place on Tuesday, August 29 at Graham Funeral Home, located at 1036 Boston Post Road, in Rye, New York. The service will start at 2:30 p.m., with visiting hours beginning at 1:00 p.m. Her family will also host a celebration of life in PEI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Cochran School of Nursing, 967 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701.