Elizabeth Teresa Ney

Elizabeth Teresa Ney, 92 PORTLAND -- Elizabeth Teresa Ney, 92, of Portland, died Sunday, May 10, 2009, in Portland. Elizabeth was born in Portland on Jan. 17, 1917. She was the daughter of the late John A. and Elizabeth (Conroy) Leonard. Elizabeth was raised in Portland, the youngest of four children. She attended St. Dominic's Grammar School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1935. Elizabeth also graduated from the Mercy (Queen's) Hospital School of Nursing in 1938 and passed her Registered Nursing Examination. Following her graduation, she worked as a nurse at the Mt. Auburn Hospital in Boston, returning home two years later to care for a dying aunt. She then worked private duty until deciding to work at Portland's Mercy Hospital for more than 40 years. She volunteered to serve as camp nurse for a few weeks each summer at the Diocesan children's camps, where she met Martin G. Ney, whom she married and became a life partner until his death in 1984. She was also predeceased by a son, Philip Edward Ney in 1980; two brothers, John M. Leonard and Philip J. Leonard and a sister, Mary C. Leonard. Elizabeth lived her faith as an active communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Portland, where she was a longtime member of the St. Patrick's Women's Council. She was a strong woman with a generous heart, who could always offer a kind word, a helping hand, or a comforting shoulder to all. Elizabeth's life was her family and friends. She truly taught by example and looked for the positive in every situation. Surviving are two sons, John M. Ney and his wife Maureen of Portland, Leonard G. Ney and his wife Belinda of Veazie and Portland, a daughter, Elizabeth J. Williams and her husband James of West Bath; a most special niece whom she was considered a second daughter, Nancy Herlihy and her husband Frank of Kennebunk; a special daughter-in-law Jacqueline Coy of Cape Elizabeth; and her much loved 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Prayers will be recited at 9:15 a.m., Friday, May 16, at the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com. Elizabeth's family would like to publicly acknowledge their appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph's Manor for the dedicated care and abundant love given to her during her stay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elizabeth's name to: Activities Fund St. Joseph's Manor 1133 Washington Ave. Portland, Maine 04103 Elizabeth Teresa Ney