On April 12, 1940 a beautiful Irish girl was born to Edward Patrick and Mary Mathilda Galvin in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, raised early in Floral Park, New York, and spent her formative childhood in Cranston, Rhode Island. She helped guide her three younger brothers. She passed away much too early on October 28, 2019. She skipped a year of high school and at 17 entered New York University (Washington Square College of Arts and Sciences). She met her future husband Don in her Music and Speech classes and enjoyed plays and life in New York City. Mary and Don wed on May 28, 1960, and were married for 59 years. She started her family one year later, and over the years raised three more children almost single handedly while relocating numerous times (Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, California, Connecticut, and Texas) with Don often travelling four days a week. She taught her children to swim -- first in Altanta, Georgia and then in the Pacific Ocean at Newport Beach, California. Raised in a devout Irish family, she carried throughout her life a sense of devotion to her family (including three grandchildren) and made a wonderful home for everyone. Aside from her family she had a passion for reading; she was an avid reader of books and newspapers. She started almost every day with the New York Times crossword puzzle and finished the Sunday edition in well under an hour - while simultaneously cooking the world's best breakfast. Contradicting the long line of poor Irish cooks in her family, she became a world-class chef, with elaborate meals, and could quickly make sandwiches no deli in New York City could match. She possessed a keen intellect and a devastating wit, but her ripostes were always kind and sensitive. She enjoyed travelling, covering the US, Europe and Asia. She built on travel experiences, including learning Italian well enough to converse with locals on her many visits to Italy. She leaves behind her husband Don, four children: Andrew Edward, Leigh Ann, Kieran Elizabeth and John Robert, and three grandchildren - all of whom loved her immensely and wish they had more time with her. She was the spirit who created us and forever will be the adhesive that binds us. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway Dallas, TX 75225. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 7th at 11:00am at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093 with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home