***PLEASE NOTE THAT A LIFE CELEBRATION SERVICE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21, 2022. KINDLY CLICK HERE TO RSVP.

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Mary Catherine (Lynch) Monahan, age 67 years, of Bethlehem Township, NJ, died on Friday, February 26, 2021 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ, as a result of complications related to Covid-19.

Mary Catherine was born on May 12th 1953 in the village of Ballyheelan in County Cavan Ireland. The daughter of Fergus and Nuala Lynch, she was named by a local priest after the Virgin Mary and eventually became the eldest of five sisters and three brothers. In 1957, at the age of 4 Mary and her family moved to the Bronx, NY and became part of America’s immigrant story, living in a bustling apartment block with families from all over the world. In 1965, the Lynch’s moved out of the city to bucolic Bethlehem Township in Hunterdon County, NJ where the hills reminded Fergus and Nuala of home.

Mary attended Catholic School in Phillipsburg. While volunteering at a Head Start summer program, she met her future mother-in-law, Esther, who arranged a date between her son, James Robert Monahan of Clinton NJ, and this nice Irish girl.

At the age of 18 when Mary’s family planned to return to Ireland, Mary and Jim secretly eloped (a story that still shocks her children!). The year was 1971, and they played “They tried to tell us we’re too young”. While it might have seemed like youthful rebellion, time would prove Mary and Jim right. Jim was the love of Mary’s life. “This love will last though years may go. And then someday they may recall, We were not too young at all.” 

In 1972, Shannon was born while Mary and Jim lived with Jim’s father (James Frances Monahan) in Clinton.  Sean was born in Northern Virginia (1981), and Jimmy was born in Bethlehem Township, NJ (1986).

Mary became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1972.  Mary and Jim were adventurous, loved to travel, and were regularly on the road showing their kids this great nation; delighting in camping, hiking, kayaking, beaches, national parks, amusement parks, and extended tours of historical landmarks.

Mary was active in her community. For decades she organized dozens of local families to participate in the Fresh Air Fund. She was a Boy Scout den leader, “class room” parent, and she generally did good deeds without fanfare (“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”). Her selfless leadership will always be a shining example for those of us watching and learning from her.

With two working parents, and Mary as the eldest child, she took on caregiving responsibilities for her brothers and sisters, and they have described her as a “second mom to them”. She was always looking out for others. Caring for children came easily to Mary and led her to a 40 year career as a preschool teacher and eventually the Director of Jugtown Mountain Nursery School in Bethlehem Township. As the community’s preschool teacher, Mary helped lay the social and educational foundation for hundreds of children. In addition, many educators have come forward with tales of how she mentored them. Mary held an Associate’s degree in early childhood education from Raritan Valley Community College.

After Jim passed away in 2009, Mary kept his mantra, “Today is a Great Day!”, close to her heart. She spent time with her children, grandchildren, and extended family. Enlisting and directing the help of family and the goodwill of neighbors, Mary maintained the family home in Bethlehem Township, keeping the vegetable garden thriving. Always social, she kept regular activities with a wide range of friends through her book club, yoga and meditation, the Hampton Hikers, involvement in St Ann’s Parish as a lecturer and CCD teacher, and as an alto in the Warren County Community Singers.

Mary was a natural storyteller who made friends easily. She was down to earth, a wonderful listener, and so much fun to be around. She valued experiences over things, always taking her family and friends to concerts, museums, plays, and hikes through the woods. She continued to enthusiastically travel to Ireland, the Poconos, the shore but enjoyed the little things too, like chatting over a cup of tea; a photo of her grandkids, who she loved dearly, would make her day.  Those who knew her will remember her laugh and warm smile.

Mary is predeceased by her beloved parents, Fergus and Nuala Lynch, her husband Jim, and by members of the Lynch and Monahan extended families.

Mary is survived by a daughter Shannon Monahan and her husband Milo Miller; a son Sean Monahan and his fiancé Amy Braunstein; a son James Monahan and his wife Emily Pomeranz; her five grandchildren Eli, Isaac, Sidnie, Seth, and Ari; her siblings Maeve, Eileen, Colum, Finola, Ciaran, Fergus, Deirdre and their families.

For over 20 years, Mary and Jim served as chairpersons for the Fresh Air Fund where they helped provide summer experiences for kids from underserved communities in New York City.  These experiences can be life-changing for both the kids from New York and the kids in the rural communities that they visit. Mary and Jim welcomed Fresh Air Fund children into their home every summer and these kids became a part of their family, growing and forging friendships with Mary’s children and grandchildren. Having grown up in the Bronx, Mary never forgot the many summers she had as a child visiting relatives in Bethlehem Township. Volunteering with the Fresh Air Fund was just one of the many ways Mary paid these experiences forward and made a difference in her community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in their honor may be made to The Fresh Air Fund, via mail to 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017 or online by clicking HERE (kindly note ‘In Memory of Mary & James Monahan’ in the section where it asks for the name). Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated by the family.

Given the current state of the world, and respecting Mary’s persona of always looking out for, and protecting others, all services will be limited to only immediate family in attendance. Please, out of respect, do not go to the funeral home, church or the cemetery. There will be a large, public event to celebrate Mary’s life once restrictions are lifted. Please check back on this page for updated information about this service once plans have been finalized.

In an effort to ensure that so many family and friends who Mary loved dearly have the opportunity to grieve and pray for her, services will be live-streamed according to the following schedule:

-Friday, March 5, 2021 from 10:30-11:00 a.m.- there will be eulogies from Mary’s children as well as prayers before Mass. Please note the the casket will be open during this time and visible on screen

-Friday, March 5, 2021 from Noon-1:00 p.m. -Mass of Christian Burial

-Friday, March 5, 2021 from approximately 1:00-1:15 p.m. -Burial/Graveside Service

Please click HERE to be taken to the live-stream. Kindly ensure that you do not have a pop-up blocker installed. Note: the link is the same for ALL of the above events and the streaming will begin approximately  five minutes prior to start time.

You are encouraged to visit Mary’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

***PLEASE NOTE THAT A LIFE CELEBRATION SERVICE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21, 2022. KINDLY CLICK HERE TO RSVP.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”