Mcginty, Mary T.

VOORHEESVILLE- Mary T. (Nash) McGinty, 58, of Voorheesville passed away on September 28, 2013. Rather than talk about how she died, Mary wanted to focus on how she lived. She was the loving wife for 37 years of Sean M. McGinty, devoted mother of John M. McGinty II (Courtney) of Clifton Park, Margaret ‘Meg’ McGinty of Albany, and Kathleen “Kay” Peffers (Jason) of Albany, and adoring grandmother of John Joseph III and Gillian Grace of Clifton Park. She is survived by her sister and best friend, Barbara Nash, and her brother James Nash, Jr. Mary was predeceased by loving and devoted parents and parents-in-law Maureen & James Nash, Sr. of Watervliet, and Helen & John McGinty of Albany. Mary was raised in a blue-collar family where education and family were priorities. Her family went to Burden Lake for the summer and passed the days playing in the water. “It was a simple life. We didn’t need a lot. We had a canoe that we would paddle out to the middle of the lake and flip over. We were good swimmers.” She would say when she was a freshman in high school that she was going to grow up to be the second woman president of the United States. She didn’t want to be the first because she wanted to be judged by her accomplishments rather than her gender.

Mary graduated from Siena College in 1976 with a degree in political science and received her Masters in Public Administration from Rockefeller College in 1985. While at Siena, she met Sean on a blind date that was set up by their best friends. They were married on November 27, 1976 at the old Chapel at Siena in a candlelight ceremony.

Mary loved to garden. She was an avid Beatles fan and loved to bargain shop. She loved big family dinners and was the house where family and friends gathered for all the holidays. Mary loved having fancy Mother’s Day brunches for her Mom and Aunt Kay. She celebrated birthday months not days. From smores’ night in September to groundhog shaped meatloaf on February 2nd, Mary often made everyday occasions a reason to have a party. Mary couldn’t go to a gathering without her taco dip and shrimp spread. “Both were my tickets to admission.” She loved the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park. “Eating a sausage and pepper sandwich while walking down Yawkey Way was the closest thing to heaven on earth.”

Mary attended St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church in Voorheesville. She was honored to be a trustee of the parish, and to serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council and as a VIRTUS Child Abuse Prevention trainer.

Mary enjoyed a 27 year career with NYS working with multiple agencies. Of particular note was her work in Employee Benefits division where she had the opportunity to help people with their health insurance. Having made many friends and colleagues, Mary enjoyed their support as her illness progressed. Along with her work support, the faith community of St. Mathews was a tremendous support to her, her family and her friends. Mary wanted to thank those who sent a card or prayers. Mary and her family would also like to thank Elizabeth Hanlon and Michelle Freeman Folds, of the EDDY VNA and Hospice, for their tender care and healing hands.

A family wake will occur Tuesday, October 1st from 3 – 7pm. A public wake will be held on Wednesday, October, 2nd from 4-8 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc. 490 Delaware Ave. Albany. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, October 3rd, at 11:00 am in St. Matthew’s Church, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to St. Matthew’s Maintenance and Facility Fund for Handicap Accessibility, 25 Mountainview St., Voorheesville, NY 12186.