Mary Catherine McGarrity

Mary Catherine McGarrity of Chester Springs, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2024, at the age of 96, surrounded by family.

Mary was born on February 17, 1928 in West Philadelphia. After graduating from West Catholic High School, she went to work at the Philadelphia Inquirer as secretary to the Managing Editor. It was there that she met her future husband, Jim McGarrity, a press photographer.

Mary and Jim were married for 48 years. During this time they had 5 children: Lynn, Lee, Brian, Colleen, and Rachel. Mary lived in Havertown and then Exton until 2014 when she moved in with her daughter, Rachel. There she enjoyed many visits from family over the next 10 years. 

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Jim McGarrity, her parents, Catherine & James Dougherty, her son, Brian, her brother, Jim Dougherty, and her sisters, Nancy DeShayes and Eileen Locke.

Mary was an active member of SS. Phillip & James Parish. She enjoyed oil painting and was an avid reader. She loved impressionist art and classical music. In her later years, she spent her time doing crossword puzzles, watching the news and was always up on current events.

She is survived by her children: Lynn Mentz, Lee McGarrity (Moira), Colleen Reilly (Buddy), and Rachel Everson (Calvin). Mary was known as Mimi by her 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

 Visitation will be at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, 610-353-6300, Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 9:00 to 10:30 AM, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA at 11:00 AM. Christian burial will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, https://www.heart.org/.