Mary Tarpey

Please take note of visitation and service change below.

Mary Ann Tarpey of Wayne, NJ, died peacefully at her daughter, Carolyn´s and son-in-law, Robert´s, home in Highland Lakes, NJ, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on January 3, 2022.  

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on December 19, 1936, she was the eldest daughter of Richard and Margaret (Gallagher) Corney. Mary, as she was known by all who loved her, was predeceased by her husband, Gerard Tarpey, in 1992. She is survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Madeline and Lance Erickson of Franklin Square, NY, Helen and Theodore Freund of Remsenberg, NY, and Margaret and Paul  Red Cloud Owen, also of Franklin Square, NY. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Kevin Tarpey, of Dingman´s Ferry, PA, and her sister-in-law, Patricia Larkin, of Brooklyn, NY.

Mary, or “Ma,” as she was affectionately called by her children, is survived by her 9, yes 9, loving children and their spouses: Rich and Regan Tarpey of Jupiter, Florida, Mary Ellen and Steven Cappuccio of Vero Beach, Florida, John and Donna Tarpey of Austin, Texas, Carolyn and Robert Acker of Highland Lakes, NJ, Maggie and Chris Tsakiris of Nashville, Tennessee, Colin and Lisa Tarpey of Holgate, NJ, Brian and Penny Tarpey of Wayne, NJ, Susan and James Neusch of Schwenksville, PA, and Brendan and Amy Tarpey of Scottsdale, Arizona.  

“Nanny” as she was called, is also survived by her 22 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren: Iain, Finn, Declan, Gianna, Nicole, Brianna, Michaela, Tristan, Chelsea, Lauren, Erin, Kevin, Emily, Alexa, Kyle, Gabby, Maeve, Marin, Nicole, Christina, Delaney, Connor, Colin, Mary Kate, Sloane and Rory.

Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of an Irish immigrant mother who emigrated from County Mayo, Ireland, Mary attended Our Lady of Angels elementary school and the Academy of St. Francis Xavier high school where she developed her love of literature and history. Mary went on to study at Fordham University where she earned an Associate Degree. Mary met her husband Gerard “Jerry” Tarpey in 1957 and the two were married in November, 1958. In 1959 Mary and Jerry wasted no time in starting a family. No strangers to big families, Jerry was one of 10 children and Mary’s own mother Margaret was one of 14 children in Ireland. Mary spent the next 21 years as Mom, cheerleader, life coach and part-time triage nurse to her growing family.

In 1977, Mary and Jerry moved the clan to Packanack Lake in Wayne, NJ. Mary came to love all that Packanack had to offer her and her children. Outgoing, friendly and positive, Mary made many life-long friends from Packanack Lake whom she loved dearly. After her husband, Jerry, died in 1992, Mary worked as a unit secretary for the Operating Room at Wayne General Hospital for 17 years. Mary lived in Wayne until 2019 when she moved to St. Joseph’s Home in Totowa.  

Mary lived at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa until recently. She once again made friends easily, enjoyed all of the social activities, and basked in the strong faith and love that fills St. Joseph’s home. She often said to her children of St. Joseph´s, “Living here is a home run!“

In all, Mary loved life. She loved spending time with her sisters and traveling with them to lands near and far over the years. Whether it was to Rocky Point, Long Island, Ocean City, Maryland, County Mayo, Ireland, or several other countries in Europe, Mary was always ready for an adventure. She loved spending time with her children and was fiercely proud of them. She loved being Nanny to her grandchildren and was always keen to hear how they were doing. She loved spending time with her friends, old and new, and was always up for a luncheon with the ladies. Throughout her life, Mary had an unwavering faith and brought a sense of humor, a big smile and an unbridled joy to all who met her. Slainte’, Mary, on a life well-lived.

In-lieu of flowers, donations to Little Sisters of the Poor/St. Joseph´s Home for the Elderly would be welcomed and may be made on their website at https://littlesistersofthepoortotowa.weshareonline.org.