Mary Elizabeth Feeney Morais

SOUTH PORTLAND - Mary Elizabeth Feeney Morais, 89, of South Portland, died March 4, 2012 at Gosnell Hospice House, with her loving family by her side. She was born May 29, 1922 in South Portland, a daughter of Michael and Delia (Feeney) Feeney. Mary was educated locally and was a graduate of Portland High School. She married Felix Omer Morais on January 28, 1946 in Portland, at St. Dominic's Church. Prior to her marriage, Mary worked as a telephone operator. After her marriage she moved to Berlin, NH, and began raising her family. She returned to work in Berlin and worked for Vaillancourt Woodward Insurance Agency. She moved from Berlin, NH, to South Portland in June of 1985. Mary's life was defined by her love for her family. Her names hint at the places in each one's heart: Mary, Mum, Mummy, Nana, Great Nana, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Mimi. Tolerance and compassion defined her. She saw each person's special gifts and wished only the best for everyone. Mary was a natural teacher, family historian, and storyteller. Songs, family stories and laughter are her living legacy to her family. She surprised and entertained many with her quick wit. Mary was an avid reader of books and newspapers. Her special joy was finishing the Boston Globe cover to cover almost every day. From politics to the arts, she had a breadth of knowledge and strong opinions based on sharp analysis, compassion and fairness. Travel was another passion. Touring most of California over the years and traveling with her daughters on one wonderful trip to Ireland were highlights of her adventures. Mary was a city girl who never forgot the excitement of trips with family to Galway City, London, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington. In the later years, she took special pleasure in revisiting landmarks in the Portland area, home for most of her life. Mary was a communicant of Holy Cross Church. Mary was predeceased by her husband Felix in 1981 and two sons, Michael K. in 1982 and Timothy O. in 1985, and a brother, James Feeney in 1986. Surviving are two daughters, Maureen Lembo and her husband Frank of Manchester, NH, Marilyn McCorkle Morais and her husband Dennis McCorkle of Topsham; two sisters, Ellen Lombardi and her husband Philip of South Portland; Katherine Conroy and her husband Fredreick of Lexington, MA; two brothers, Patrick J. Feeney and his wife Barbara of Westbrook; Peter J. Feeney and his wife Patricia of Southern Pines, NC; two grandchildren, Karen Berthiaume of Manchester, NH, Christina Lembo of Brookline, MA; a great grandson, Nathaniel Berthiaume, of Manchester, NH and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visiting hours will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 on Thursday March 8, 2012 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral chapel by Rev. Philip Conroy followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. A Spring Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Brunswick. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of VNA Home Health and Hospice, Southern Maine Hospice, and the Gosnell House for their loving care and support. If desired, donations in Mary's memory may be made to: Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, STE 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074; VNA Home Health and Hospice, 50 Foden Rd., So. Portland, ME 04106; or to the charity of one's choice.Online condolences may be expressed below.