IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Mary

Mary Rafferty Profile Photo

Rafferty

January 24, 1917 – July 14, 2013

Obituary

Mary (Diffley) Rafferty, 96, of Bloomingdale passed away peacefully on July 14, 2013 at St. Joseph's Hospital Hospice in Wayne with loved ones at her side. Mary was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Charles Rafferty, who passed away in 1999. A lifelong resident of Passaic, Mary moved to Bloomingdale eight years ago to reside with her niece Peg O'Neil. Mary was a graduate of St. John's High School in Paterson and served her country as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Coast Guard during WWII. Mary then began a long and successful career in mortgage banking before retiring as the Vice President of North Jersey Savings and Loan - one of the first women to achieve executive management status in the banking industry. Mary was a lifelong member and benefactor of St. Nicholas Church and School in Passaic. She was a daily communicant who served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Coordinator of the RCIA Program. Her generous support of St. Nicholas School included scholarships to many of the children in attendance. Many other charities enjoyed her financial support throughout her life. Mary was one of six girls and a boy born in Passaic to Margaret and John Diffley. She was the last surviving member of a large and loving family as she was predeceased by sisters Katherine Andresen, Peg Brady, Ann Novack, Florence Hnath, Eleanor O'Neil and brother Tom Diffley. She was also predeceased by nephews John Novack, Walter Andresen, Kevin and Tim O'Neil. She leaves behind five devoted nieces and a nephew: Peg O'Neil, Erin Roselli, Margo Giamo, Nancy Novack and Denise DiMicelli and Richard Hnath. Three generations of extended family shared many happy and memorable moments with Aunt "Meem", a woman of strong faith, who loved vacations at the shore and opened her home and heart to all of us. Mary was the family historian who has left behind a legacy of faith, joy, love and generosity. We will forever be grateful for happy memories of a woman whose greatest joy came from helping others. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to a charity of your choice in memory of Mary. Funeral Monday 9 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10 AM at St. Nicholas RC Church, Passaic. Entombment, Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. Visiting Sunday 4-8 PM at the Funeral Home.
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Funeral Services

Visitation

July
21

4:00 am - 8:00 pm

Funeral

July
22

Starts at 10:00 am

Entombment

July
22

Starts at 11:15 am

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