Facey, Mary Agnes (Murphy)
Mary Murphy Facey died peacefully on April 7, 2023 in the home she loved and shared with the love of her life, her late husband John (Jack) A. Facey, just before her 96th birthday. Mary was born on May 21, 1927, in Springfield, MA, the only daughter of the late Ellen Kenney and William E. Murphy. She spent her childhood in Longmeadow, MA growing up with three brothers (predeceased) she adored, Eugene, (Mary Dee) Gerald (Peggy Cogan) and Thomas (Dotsy Tomes) Upon graduation from Commerce HS (Springfield) she attended Westfield State College, but after a year she returned home to care for her younger brother Gerry. Her mother had passed away and she was needed at home. Family was always most important in her life. Mary met Jack when she was sixteen when his friend saw her waiting for a bus. Jack was taken by her beauty, offered her a ride and smartly dropped his friends off first before taking her home. They were married at St. Mary's Church June 18, 1949. Together they went on to have four sons and two daughters spanning the first 22 years of their 67 year marriage. While still in her 20s, she also guided their respective younger orphaned brothers into adulthood. For most of her married life they lived in West Hartford. The family also spent five years in Nashville, TN, exploring and participating in all they could. Returning to West Hartford Mary joined the Welcome Wagon, Mountain Valley Garden Club, multiple bridge clubs, and was a founding parishioner of St. Peter Claver Church. Mary was as an active member of tennis and golf groups and loved to attend plays at the Goodspeed Opera House, the Cape Cod Playhouse and the Hartford Symphony. She was an avid supporter of all sports, her children's games, Holy Cross football, UCONN girls basketball (Don't call when “the girls are playing”) and the Boston Red Sox. As the kids all went to college she decided it was time for her to finish her degree. She went to Capital Community College earning her associates degree in Early Education and took a job teaching nursery school. In her retirement years, she and Jack traveled extensively, visiting far-flung places such as Phoenix, AZ, Saipan, Spain (numerous times), Scandinavia, Ireland, England and Costa Rica. However, Mary was happiest at her lakeside Cape Cod cottage.
Mary is survived by her six children, John A. Facey III (Patricia) of Rutland, VT, Jeffrey A. Facey (Maite) of Costa Rica, James W. Facey (Jacqueline) of Northport, ME, Juliana F. Prignano (Paul) of West Hartford, CT, Marlene F. Morris (Douglas) of Melrose, MA Jerald P. Facey (Patricia) of Milton, MA. Mary had fifteen grandchildren she was immensely proud of; Justin, Paul, Ryan, Christopher, James, Geoffrey, Michael, Thomas, Robert, Megan, Gregory, Bridget, John, Cara, and Colleen. She is also survived by their spouses and partners, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mary was blessed to have many lifelong friendships. The family would like to thank a very special caregiver, Herma, who took such loving care these last twelve months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter Claver Church, Northwest Catholic High School or Boston Children's Hospital. Family and friends may call Sunday April 23 from 4-7 P.M. at Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, CT. Funeral services will be Monday April 24 at 10:00 A.M. with a Mass at St. Peter Claver Church. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery West Hartford. Online expressions of sympathy and a link to stream Mass may be found at www.molloyfuneralhome.com