Obituary of Mary Patricia McGinley

Mary Patricia McGinley—also known as Pat, Captain Pat, and Mother Superior—died peacefully on November 29 at her home in Short Hills, New Jersey surrounded by her family. She was 90 years old.

Pat now joins Gerald Hayes McGinley, her husband of 58 years, in Heaven.

There was no shortage of joy in Pat’s long and vibrant life. Anyone who knew her could attest to her joie de vivre, her devotion to her community, and her undying love for her ever-expanding family.

Pat was the proud mother of five children: Patricia McGinley (Scott Quackenbush), John C. McGinley (Nichole), Helen E. McGinley, Gerry O. McGinley (Debbie), and Mark H. McGinley (Shelley). A true matriarch, Pat also lives on in her 12 grandchildren—Kelly, Casey, Kathleen, Hayes, Megan, Mark, Grace, Kelsey, Brendan, Max, Billie Grace, and Kate—and one great grandson, Hugh.

Pat was born in Merion, Pennsylvania to Maurice F. O’Neill and Helen O’Neill (née Sullivan) with three siblings: Sally O’Neill Foley, and the late Maurice O’Neill Jr. and Helen O’Neill May. Pat later graduated from Georgian Court College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She went on to teach second grade at The Pingry School in Short Hills for 15 years.

But Pat was a lifelong teacher who specialized in storytelling and making people laugh. Pat loved to regale her grandchildren with captivating stories of “Joey Scapatolla,” Dune Dog, and Rumpelstiltskin. She was a voracious reader who devoured and shared books faster than anyone in her family could keep up. She was famous for “the re-wrap,” a family joke of re-wrapping old gifts into new ones (her favorite excuse to declutter the house), doling out generous portions of peppermint ice cream, and dressing up as a clown for grandparent’s day.

Pat was also a lifelong giver to her community. She was an Advisor Board Member at her beloved Greenwood Gardens, where she helped restore the historic gardens in Millburn. She led the charge to restore the sound system at St Rose of Lima, her lifelong parish. She was president of New Eyes for the Needy of Short Hills, and performed puppet shows for underprivileged children through The Short Hills Junior League.

Outside of her philanthropic activities, Pat adored playing tennis, bridge, golf, and spending time with her friends at the many clubs she belonged to over the years: The Short Hills Club, Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield in New Jersey, Loblolly Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, Bald Peak Colony Club in New Hampshire and The University Club in New York City.

Above all, her favorite place in the world was her “Secret Garden,” a walled oasis in her backyard that bloomed with pink azaleas and blue hydrangeas in the spring. As soon as her garden sprouted her renowned white and yellow peonies, she immediately gave them away. Her garden was a place of pure bliss—except for the deer who dared to eat her flowers. Pat’s garden was a place for eating deli sandwiches in the sun, playing hide and seek, reading, delivering skits, and appreciating the absolute beauty of this world.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Greenwood Garden's Cascade Fountain on their website. 

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Saturday, February 8, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (50 Short Hills Avenue, Short Hills, NJ 07078). The family will have a welcoming line at 10:00 am. Mass will begin at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at Baltusrol Golf Club (201 Shunpike Road, Springfield, NJ 07081).

Anyone reading this knows that Pat would insist on no tears. As impossible of a task that is, Pat, even in her final moments, insisted on having fun.