Mary M. Clerkin, a longtime Rye resident, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2017, with her family by her side. She was 93.
Born in Bayside, N.Y., she was the daughter of Agnes and William Godfrey. She attended Bayside High School and graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in New York City. For many years, she was a dedicated nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison.
She and her husband, Dr. Edward Clerkin Jr., raised their family in Rye. In 2015, she moved to Avon, Conn., to be closer to some of her children and beloved grandchildren.
Mrs. Clerkin was an active volunteer and Eucharistic Minister at Church of the Resurrection and St. Vincent’s Hospital. She looked forward to her weekly bridge game with her friends, was an avid reader, and enjoyed needlepoint, boating, and being near the ocean. Most of all, she adored her grandchildren and was so proud to watch them grow into beautiful young adults.
Mary and Ed Clerkin were married for 60 years. He predeceased her, as did their son, William James Clerkin, and her twin brother, Dr. William Godfrey.
Mrs. Clerkin is survived by her brother, Edward Godfrey of Cape Coral, Fla.; her children: Edward Clerkin and his wife Diane of Farmington, Conn., Peter Clerkin and his wife Karen Gioiella of East Windsor, Conn.; Mary Ann and her husband Michael Pendergast of West Simsbury, Conn., and Tom Clerkin and his wife Pam of Saratoga, Calif.; her grandchildren: Patrick Clerkin, Amanda Clerkin, Megan Roberts, Courtney Clerkin, William Pendergast, and Connor Clerkin; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at Church of the Resurrection on June 24. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.
Donations in Mary Clerkin’s memory may be made to P.O.T.S (Part of the Solution), 2759 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458, or a charity of your choice.
