Mary E. McKenney

Late Friday morning, June 2, 2023, a bright and clear day, Mary Elizabeth McKenney passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving daughters. Mary was born in Danbury, CT on March 21, 1937, to Elizabeth (Shanley) and Stanislaus McKenney. She was predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Stanley, her protector and confidant in their childhood.

She was a proud alumna of St. Peter's School and Danbury High School, Class of 1954, and she maintained friendships with, and spoke affectionately about, many of her old schoolmates and neighborhood friends. In the 1950s, Mary had a brief but exciting career as a ‘stewardess’ with Eastern Airlines, alongside her close friend and partner-in-crime, JoAnn Seery Ilg. 

Mary was an alcohol and drug counselor who found her true calling in helping those struggling with addiction. Her own continuous sobriety, from July 17, 1975, to her death, was an inspiration to many in the fellowship. Through years of devoted service and sponsorship, she carried the message that recovery from addiction is possible, and that life in sobriety can be fuller, richer, and more beautiful. Mary was the embodiment of “happy, joyous, and free.”

From 1962 to 1987, Mary was married to her "first husband," John Corey. Together, they had three cherished daughters, Cathleen, Anne, and Megan, who brought into her life the gift of her adored grandchildren, Christian Winter, Jake Nicolari, Jason Winter, and Maya Nicolari. She loved them all dearly, and the name 'Nina' became her cherished title.  She loved her sons-in-law, Don Winter and Thad Nicolari, who both put up with all of the “Mary shenanigans,” usually with a little eye roll, then a big smile.

Mary had a special friendship with both of her sisters-in-law Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Coffey and Patricia ‘Pat’ McKenney. They were not only her family by marriage but also her lifelong friends. 

Family meant everything to Mary. Whether at family parties, holidays or celebrations, she brought laughter and love. In addition to her sisters-in-law, Pat McKenney and Ellie Coffey and her brother-in-law, Jim Coffey, her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart. 

Her extended family, Stan and Nancy McKenney, Mary and Kevin Malone, Eileen McKenney and Dave Barese, Alice and George Baluzy, Jack and Bridget McKenney, Julie McKenney, Jim and Lisa Coffey, and Chris Coffey, as well as second cousins and many friends, will miss her dearly. 

For more than five years Mary lived with Alzheimer’s, an awful disease that is progressive and fatal. Throughout her illness, Mary maintained her humor and wit, her love for family, and her insatiable love of reading. She was stoic and occasionally stubborn. But she was also one of the strongest, kindest, most compassionate, loving people we’ve ever known. We’re glad she doesn’t have to suffer anymore and also glad she got to live her last days surrounded by people who truly cared for her. 

Mary was blessed to spend the last years of her life at The Lutheran Home of Southbury, where the staff loved her as their own. We offer our most sincere gratitude to Roz, Kristian, Kim, Manika, Sam, Gerde, Rev. Leo McIlrath and the numerous other caregivers who provided her exceptional care and became part of our extended family. They loved and embraced Mary and all of her quirkiness. They gave her the best care we could ever hope for.

We will celebrate Mary’s life on Thursday, June 8th with calling hours from 4-7 pm and a memorial service beginning at 7 pm at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 235 Main Street North, Southbury, CT. 

Helping others get sober was a primary purpose of Mary’s life. If you’d like to help continue her legacy, please consider donating to Success Residential Homes in order to provide financial support for those in need of sober living. Checks can be made payable to Success Residential Homes, and sent to Fellowship Center, Attn: Sue Ellen Landwehr, 15 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, CT 06810 and note ‘in memory of Mary McKenney.’

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary E. McKenney, please visit our floral store.