Mary Mckiernan

On Tuesday, September 4th, Mary Catherine McKiernan of
Middleburgh, formerly of Williston Park, L.I. died at
home after a long illness. Her final days were
filled with visits from her loving family and many
friends. Mary (May) was born on September 27, 1921 in
Dublin, Ireland. Daughter of Thomas and Mary
(Browne) Turner, she emmigrated to the United States
as a war bride in 1948. A well-educated woman, she
was very involved in the Irish Freedom Political
Movement. In her youth, she was a member of
Clan-Na-Gael (Irish girl scouts) and became a leader.
She was also a dedicated member of Cumman na m-Ban,
the Irish woman's organization. This was the first of
many volunteer positions she held throughout her life.
In the United States she was a member of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, Sinn Fein, Gaelic League, and a
founding member of the Irish Arts Council in
Manhattan. Mary was the Grand Regent of the Catholic
Daughters of America, Past President of St. Aidan's
Rosary Society and St. Catherine's Rosary Society in
Middleburgh, President of the Drug Awareness Council
of Queens Village and a Boy Scout leader for many
years. She was an inspector for the Board of
Elections in Queens Village/Williston Park, and was a
member of the Democratic Club. She was also an
active member of the Middleburgh Sewing Club. She is
survived by her children Mary Cook of Amsterdam,
Francis T. McKiernan (Marian) of Middleburgh, Eileen
LaSpaluto (David) of Middleburgh, and Brian McKiernan
(Diane) of Floral Park. Mary was also blessed with 12
grandchildren: Eileen Thrush of Middleburgh, Lorraine
Magnuson and Peter Grebinger of Westbury, Rena Ryan of
Waterford, Ireland, Rory McKiernan of Schenectady,
Laura LaSpaluto of Brooklyn Heights, Keara and Conor
McKiernan of Middleburgh, Kristine, Brian, and Matthew
McKiernan of Floral Park, and Donna Jenkins of Dayton,
Ohio, She is also survived by twelve
great-grandchildren, sister Eileen Kirby and brother
Patrick Turner of Dublin, Ireland. She was
predeceased by her husband Francis B. McKiernan in
1999 and her grandson, Joseph Paul Cook III. A
Mass of Christian Burail was held at St. Catherine's Church in
Middleburgh with Father Thomas F. Holmes officiating on Friday, September 7th. The burial
followed at Middleburgh Cemetery. Memorial
contributions may be made to St. Catherine's Church or
the Middleburgh Library Association. Arrangements are under the direction Palmer & Shaylor, Inc Funeral Home in Middleburgh and Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home in Cobleskill. Further
information is available at www.palmershaylorfuneralhome.com