Mary A. Delaney

PORTLAND - Mary A. Delaney, 82, of Portland, passed peacefully on September 19, 2012, surrounded by her loving family at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence, after a brief illness. She was born on July 31, 1930 a daughter of Donald D. and Florence E. Reidy MacInnis.Mary attended Cathedral Grammar School and was a 1948 graduate of Cathedral High School. Mary married James F. Delaney, Sr. in 1952, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Together they raised four children. In 1966 Mary began working for Diocesan Human Relations Services (the forerunner to Catholic Charities of Maine). Six years later she accepted a position of secretary in the bishops's office, working for Bishop Peter Garity. She continued to work in the bishop's office with Bishop Edward O'Leary, then Auxiliary Bishop Amedee Proux, Bishop Joseph Gerry, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Cote. During Bishop Richard Malone's administration at age 68, Mary scaled back her work to a part-time position as an Ecclesiastical Notary in the Tribunal. Her remarkable career with the Catholic Dioceses of Portland spanned 46 years. working until this past May. Mary was an active lifelong communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Mary enjoyed her family and closely followed all of their activities. She liked to take day trips with family and friends and was a skilled photographer. She was predeceased by her husband James F. Delaney, Sr. in June 1993; two brothers, Donald D. and Joseph MacInnis; son-in-law Jeff Nixon in May 1998 and Anna's longtime companion Danny Swasey on June 14, 2012. Mary is survived by three daughters, Kathy Beardsley and her husband Matt of South Paris, Anna Delaney of Portland, Susan Nixon of Westbrook; a son James F. Delaney, Jr. of Portland; a brother, John B. MacInnis of Portland; a sister-in-law Gail MacInnis of Jefferson; six grandchildren, Katrina Hallstrom and fianc(c)e Scott Winchell, Kristen Hallstrom, Joe Hallstrom and companion Tina Alexander, Kelly Woitko and her husband Tony, Jeremy Delaney and his wife Laurie, Dylan Nixon; four great grandchildren, Baylee Hutter, Hayden Winchell, Joey Hallstrom, Nolan Delaney; many nieces and nephews and many longtime friends. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Unit A Staff at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence, for their care, respect and attention that was given to Mary these past few months. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a 9:00 a.m. Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 22nd at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those desiring may make contributions in Mary's memory to: St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence, 1133 Washington Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103. Arrangements are being handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 172 State Street, Portland.Online condolences may be expressed below.