SPRINGFIELD – Mary T. (Sullivan) Foley, a lifelong resident of the Hungry Hill Section of Springfield, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was an Irish darling through and through, born on May 7, 1929, of immigrants, Thomas and Helen (Carney) Sullivan, both from the Blasket Islands in Ireland. Mary lived in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield her whole life, never moving more than a few blocks away from her birth home as she loved the close-knit Irish community. Mary graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield and worked various jobs throughout her life including many years as a well-known crossing guard at Liberty School on Carew Street in Springfield. Mary was a devoted member of Our Lady of Hope Parish and later, Sacred Heart Church. Mary met her beloved Patrick Foley, fresh off the boat from County Kerry, Ireland, at the American Legion in Springfield and they were happily married for 56 years; Pat predeceased Mary in March 2011. Mary and Pat raised five children on Hungry Hill with neighbors that were like family. They loved going to dances at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield and had a dedicated table surrounded by friends for every event. Mary had many, many friends that she enjoyed spending time with; from her Friday night card group to her Saturday morning coffee group at McDonalds to which they brought their own Irish bread of course. She enjoyed going to monthly breakfasts at the John Boyle, listening to the “Irish Hour” and having a good cup of tea. Mary loved St. Patrick’s Day and her family loved her secret recipe Irish Bread and her Mutton Pies. Most of all, Mary loved her family. Her sparkling smile will sorely be missed by her five loving children, James Foley and his wife, Nancy, of Feeding Hills, Michael Foley of Fitzwilliam, NH, Jack Foley and his wife, Kim, of Duxbury, Patrick J. Foley, Jr. of West Springfield, and Jody O'Donnell and her husband, Phil, of New Canaan, CT; her six cherished grandchildren, Caitlin Searles and her husband, Kenneth, Brian Foley and his wife, Kacey, Meaghan Foley and her husband, Kyle Mullaney, Isabelle Foley, Jack O'Donnell, and Connor O'Donnell; her five cherished great grandchildren, Nathaniel, Chloe, and Theo Searles, and Owen and Keegan Foley; her dear sister, Liz Tarozzi and her husband, Bob, of Carmel, CA; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her two dear brothers, Thomas Sullivan and his wife, Eleanor, and John Sullivan and his wife, Terry; and her dear sister, Eileen Plante and her husband, Ralph. Mary was cherished by them all for her kind heart, warm smile and quick wit. Mary’s family would also like to express their sincere thanks to Tania, Mia and Saleen for the excellent care and compassion they gave to Mary over the past year. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, March 15, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107(funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 292 Hampden Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the John Boyle O'Reilly Scholarship Fund, 33 Progress Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
