Mary Apgar

Mary M. Apgar formerly of Wayne, Sparta and Waldwick died peacefully on May 10, 2024. 

Born in 1938 and raised in Passaic, Mary was the only child of Angelina (nee Ambrosio) a piano teacher, choir director and church organist and John McArdle a Passaic Police Officer and World War 1 veteran.  

Mary attended Holy Trinity and Pope Pius catholic schools where she was an outstanding student and active in the school newspaper and drama and latin clubs. Mary also learned to sing and play the piano, both of which she enjoyed  throughout most her life. Following high school Mary studied at the St. Joseph’s school of nursing graduating as a registered nurse and starting what would eventually become a more than 45 year career working predominantly in labor and delivery and with OB GYN patients at the Valley Hospital in Ridgwood, Wayne General Hospital in Wayne and doctors offices in Hawthorne, Ridgewood and Ramsey, NJ. 

Mary loved her job as it gave her much joy to provide care and guidance to other women, especially expecting mothers and of course helping to bring babies into the world. 

Mary gave birth to two boys of her own who she loved unconditionally. When her marriage ended in divorce she worked tirelessly, taking as much overtime as the  hospital would allow just to ensure her boys had everything that families with two working parents had. And her hard work paid off. She was able to buy a 4 bedroom home in Wayne and provide her sons with a comfortable living. This included a family vacation every year to fun but always educational destinations like Seaworld and DisneyWorld/Epcot Center in Florida, Niagra Falls and Montreal Quebec, Washington DC, Mystic Harbor CT and Colonial Williamsburg VA. She also passed her love of music on to her sons. Soon piano and drum lessons followed. Mary always encouraged her boys to play as often as they liked and to never stop learning. 

Mary also loved and adored her grandchildren. She spent as much time as possible with them doing everything from sleepovers at Grandma’s house to taking trips to the lake and beach. She always seemed to find something fun for them to do together. She also attended literally every sports game or meet they participated in which was no small undertaking as both were outstanding athletes who competed at the state level in high school. And when it came time for them to go to college, Mary selflessly took care of their tuition. She wanted to do everything she could to ensure they had the best start in life. 

Her sons and grandchildren will never forget the many sacrifices Mary made so they could have a better life. She never once hesitated at doing or giving anything she possibly could if she felt it would help her children or grandchildren succeed. 

She will be cherished and remembered always for her love and devotion to her family by her sons Richard Apgar and his wife Lisa, John Apgar and his partner Kate, and her Grandchildren Amelia Apgar and John Apgar.