January 10, 1934 - December 14, 2024
The family of Mary Margaret McMahon McGeown is saddened to share the news of her passing. A cherished mother, wife, and grandmother, Mary died peacefully on December 14th at the age of 90. Born on January 10, 1934 in South Orange, New Jersey, Mary was a graduate of Benedictine Academy High School and the College of St. Elizabeth. She met the love of her life, John "Jack" R. McGeown, while they were working summer jobs at the Warren Hotel in Spring Lake. Mary and Jack wed in 1957 and eventually settled in Montclair, where they lived for more than 25 years and raised their five daughters. Upon retirement, Mary and Jack moved from Montclair to live full-time in Mantoloking.
Throughout her life, Mary embraced every opportunity to learn, create, and connect with others. Whether she was cultivating friendships, transforming her garden, or traveling around the world, Mary approached life with enthusiasm and a positive spirit. For almost two decades, her Montclair floral design store, By Special Arrangement, allowed a team of family and friends to create a bustling hub of fresh flowers and laughter.
Mary's interests extended to participation in a variety of communities. In Montclair, she was an active member in the Garden Club, Junior League, Art Museum, and Golf Club. On the Jersey Shore, she was involved with the Mantoloking Yacht Club (MYC) and the Seaweeders Garden Club. Her faith and daily Mass were also central to her life, and she was a devoted parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair and Sacred Heart Church in Bay Head.
Above all, Mary will be remembered for her love of family. She nurtured strong relationships with her twelve grandchildren and instilled in them a deep connection to the Jersey Shore. Mary was the heart of her family, fostering a close-knit bond that continues to this day. As a dear friend reflected, "She somehow pulled you along until you were having the time of your life!"
Mary is survived by her daughters Elysia Gudas (Tom), Maureen McLam, Anne Rethmeyer (Craig), Michelle Gerli (John), and Mary Kay Caricato (John), and her twelve grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jack, and her son-in-law, Scott McLam.
A funeral will be held on Friday, January 24th, 10:00 AM, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bay Head, NJ. A Celebration of Mary's Life will take place on May 31st at Mantoloking Yacht Club in Mantoloking, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to: 1) Seaweeders Garden Club, Attn: Mary McGeown Youth Scholarship Fund, PO Box 191, Bay Head, NJ, 08742 or 2) Columbia University Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at givenow.columbia.edu.
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