Maureen M. McDermott

McDermott, Maureen Murray MEDWAY, MASSACHUSETTS

Maureen (Murray) McDermott, 69 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 21 surrounded by her daughter, son, and son-in-law. Born August 12, 1953, in Troy, New York she was the daughter of the late Bernard J. and Dorothy (Luskin) Murray and wife of the late John F. McDermott. Maureen was educated at Sacred Heart School and graduated from Catholic Central High School class of 1971 both in Troy, New York. She graduated from Albany School of Nursing and cum laude from the College of Saint Rose.

She was employed at Saint Mary's Hospital MED-SURG, PCU and OR, Troy, Child's Hospital OR and surgical nurse for Ray A. Elliott, Jr., M.D. for a decade all in Albany. She pursued a second career as an English teacher in the Albany City School District for the next twenty years and retired from Albany High School. Maureen was an active member of the Saint Teresa of Avila School's PTA and served as a school board member in Albany. She was also active with several student clubs at the Academy of the Holy Names, Albany and La Salle Institute, Troy.

Maureen was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. Her husband, children and son-in-law considered her their best friend. She always listened with compassion and empathy, never giving advice freely, only when asked. She enjoyed decorating her home for every holiday, cooking homemade meals for her family, deep conversations about literature, the arts and history peppering with her enthusiastic humour. Her family loved listening to her stories about her childhood, spending time with her Irish aunties, grandparents, cousins and her Mountain View and Troy neighborhoods. They were filled with her laughter, dark humor and youthful escapades. Her family will now treasure those stories and how proud she was of her Irish heritage.

Even as a breast cancer survivor and battling a journey with ALS, she continued to always look forward to finding rays of joy in the darkest of days, relished planning vacations and special meals with her family, praying the rosary and to Mother Mary, tending to her garden of flowers while enjoying the birds and sunshine on her back deck, dancing and a proper cup of Irish tea. She loved corresponding with dear friends and family with sending cards, handwritten letters and sharing a good book. Her greatest achievements were the love she had for her parents, husband, son, daughter and son-in-law, they were her best friends and whole world.

She is survived by her son Patrick Murray McDermott of Albany, New York, daughter Katie Ann McDermott and son-in-law Chris Fiato of Medway, Massachusetts, also several cousins, nieces, nephews and aunts. She is predeceased by her husband John F. McDermott of 44 years.

We would like to thank Dr. James Berry and his team at The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital, support from neighbors in Medway and Albany, dear family and friends who were in constant communication and visited Maureen and the notes and drawings from all the children she held dear.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday June 30 at 1:15pm in Sacred Heart Church, Troy with interment immediately following in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Thursday June 29 4-6pm in the Daniel D. Purcell Funeral Home, 510 Pawling Avenue Troy.

Donations in Maureen's memory may be made to Sacred Heart parish or The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital <https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate?re_fund=233893&is_designation=1&designation=Healey Center>.