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Mary Margaret MacLellan
Mary Margaret MacLellan
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Mary MacLellan Obituary
Our Mary was a joyful, kind-hearted, loving and loyal person who made everyone around her feel as though they were the center of the universe. She was content to linger in the background and listen attentively and react lovingly to everyone around her. She would cry with you or laugh the loudest at your stories. She was the perfect audience who tried to make everyone feel comfortable and loved. She was extremely loyal to her loved ones so much so that we would often minimize any difficulties we may be going through since Mary would become more upset about them than we were.
Mary had an incredible inner strength and persevered through difficult times showing the world only her beautiful smile while doing so. She was there for anyone when needed and ready to help in any way she could.
Mary loved her nephews and nieces and showered them with attention and love from their early years to adulthood. They in turn adored her. She was a big part of their lives and attended every milestone. She would play with them endlessly with the utmost patience. During their younger years, the children would tell their teachers they were excited to leave school because their Aunt Mary was coming over!
Mary had many accomplishments in her life. She was smart, fast and able to do anything. Her greatest accomplishments, though, were those that are of most importance - those of love, humility and compassion.
Mary will always be remembered as a sweet, gentle, humble, loving soul who added so much joy to our lives. We will miss her dearly but are comforted knowing she is happy in Heaven with God and other loved ones. We thank God for Mary's beautiful life and the time we shared together.. May she forever rest in peace.
Mary is survived by her sisters Kathleen (George) Coppola, Eileen (Bob) Slingsby, and brother Thomas Collins, nephews Zachary Slingsby, Ryan Slingsby, Christopher Coppola, Michael Coppola, Thomas Collins, and many great nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Council. The time is yet to be determined. St. Johns Family Funeral Home in Saint Augustine, FL, is assisting with the arrangements.
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Zack Slingsby
April 27, 2024
Mary,
It is impossible to believe you are not with us any longer. It causes a deep pain not only in my heart, but in my wife and kids' as well who came to know you and love you as much as I did. It took them no time at all to feel the bright light and warmth that you shed on everyone who was lucky enough to be near you. You looked at us all with such pure love that it actually had the effect of making us feel safer and closer to God just by being with you.
As everyone else has already said so beautifully, your spirit of joy, and in particular your laugh, could lift up an entire house. I would say that laugh could have saved the Titanic! You always saw the humor and irony and truth in any situation, and could turn something that might have been sad or lonely into something relatable and human, and use it as a chance to bring everyone together. I have more memories than I can count of laughing with you until I couldn't breathe.
As a kid, your constant support (along with Kathy and Tommy's) became the foundation of my self-esteem (and I am sure Ryan and Tommy would say the same thing). You, Kathy and Tommy and my mom were like big hilarious gods to us and all we wanted was your approval and to be like you all. And you took so much time to understand us and include us and encourage us. It was the most wonderful gift you could give your nephews, and you gave it all the time.
The greatest thing that you left behind for me to think about and reflect on is that no matter what suffering came your way, you never wavered in your reliance on God. You always used it as a way to stay close to Jesus. You are my example of grace. I love you so much.
My kids, Julia and I have said many rosaries for you--while you were sick and since you have passed--and I have gotten to tell them many stories of our times together and more about your beautiful soul. Your memory and your light will live on forever through the lives that you have touched.
Please keep a hold on a nice big TV room in heaven for all of us where we'll watch movies again and stay up late and where the party will never end. And please watch over us until then.
Zachary
Mike Coppola
April 26, 2024
Mary was the greatest Aunt you could ask for. She had a contagious laugh, kind heart and always made every situation better. She was like a second mother to me. She was always there for me every step of the way. Mary will be missed tremendously.
Rest in peace Mary we love you.
Love,
Michael, Nancy, Mike, Nick and Joe
Ryan Slingsby
April 26, 2024
To My Beautiful Aunt Mary,
I have always said that I was blessed with the best aunts in the world with you and Kathy. You have been the most loving, supportive, kind-hearted and downright fun aunt throughout my life. If I was ever down, insecure or upset, you had a way of making me feel like I was so special and could immediately make me feel better with your compassionate heart and contagious laugh. The love you made me feel and the confidence you gave me really changed my life.
I will always cherish all of our memories together - especially those growing up at 9 Valenza Lane. Whenever my dad had to be away on business, or when it was Christmas time or thanksgiving (or if we found some other excuse), I would always get so excited to know that Aunt Mary, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tommy (and little Tom) would be coming over for all of us to have a mini vacation! We had so much fun playing crazy games that Zack invented, tying you and Kathy to the chairs, playing pool volleyball, building forts, and watching murder mystery documentaries until 3 AM. The list goes on and on. Within these memories, most of all I remember the constant belly laughs and pure joy that we all shared together. It was a 24/7 party and your light and laughter made it what it was.
In addition to being the life and heart of any room you were in, you were also extremely intelligent and humble. And it is because you were so humble that you never boasted of your intelligence! You offered great insight to any conversation you participated in, whether it was simple life advice or a conversation about current events. You were as sharp as as a whip and we all benefitted from your wisdom.
I will miss your yearly birthday messages, or I should call them essays, that are so filled with love you would think they were written by the blessed mother herself. I will miss visiting you in Florida. I will miss talking to you and laughing together over silly jokes. I will miss having you in my corner to support and encourage me. I will miss it all.
I will always be beyond grateful to God for blessing us with you Mary. And while there will forever be a void here on earth and in our family without your physical presence, we will carry your spirit with us in our hearts every day, and do our best to make the world a funnier, happier, kinder, and more compassionate place just as you did.
Love you forever and until we meet again.
Your Godson,
Ryan
Bob Slingsby
April 26, 2024
As her brother-in-law, I simply adored Mary. And she was worthy of that adoration. I married her sister Eileen and in a way grew up with Mary over the last almost 50 years, often sharing the trials, travails, exhilarations, etc that life brings us all. Mary became most admirable through our journey. She ultimately embodied truth and love. That was her soul. Always kind and decent, she gave love to me and my family effortlessly. I don´t think I can pay any greater tribute. I´ll miss her terribly but her example though our shared lives will always be with me.
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Eileen Slingsby
April 26, 2024
Eileen Slingsby
April 26, 2024
Eileen Slingsby
April 26, 2024
Eileen Slingsby
April 26, 2024
Eileen Slingsby
April 26, 2024
Eileen Slingsby (Collins)
April 25, 2024
Eileen Slingsby (Collins)
April 25, 2024
Eileen Slingsby (Collins)
April 25, 2024
Eileen Slingsby (Collins)
April 25, 2024
Eileen Slingsby (Collins)
April 25, 2024
Mary, my dear sister, it´s hard to believe that you are gone and no longer a car ride or a phone call away. I have not only lost a sister, but my very dear friend and advocate who has been by my side as long as I can remember. We have shared every important event in our lives and as well as the rest of our family´s. I will miss you dearly and you will always be a part of me.
Being two years apart, we spent much of our younger years along side of each other at the same school, sharing many of the same friends and experiences.
I remember our long walks to grammar school laughing and making up games on the way and just barely making it there on time. I remember sharing our room together as kids talking and laughing endlessly until mom and dad would separate us after several warnings to go to sleep. We grew up side by side sharing many of the same friends in our younger years who referred to us as part 1 and part 2 as we would sometimes say the same things simultaneously or finish each others sentences. We worked part time in the same places after school and would laugh continuously at anything and everything during our days there. We did almost everything together at that time. In our older years we were even closer being there for each other in times of joy and need. In our married years, we spent much time at each other´s houses (along with my other sister, Kathleen ) where we talked for hours, worked together preparing holiday meals and helped each other with whatever was going on. We kept each other company when our husbands were away. We (Mary, Kathleen and I) would sit and talk for hours and share our joys, annoyances, opinions, and funny stories. We loved being together. Mary felt any difficulties we may have had much worse than we did! Many times we would keep them from her so she wouldn´t get upset. She treated all of our children, mine, my sister´s and my brother´s as her own. She adored them, entertained them endlessly and listened attentively to anything they said. She made them feel like they were the only and best children on earth! They adore her as she adored them.
In our last few years together we were fortunate that all four of us siblings, me, Mary, Kathleen and Tommy, lived near each other again as we were all retired and living in Florida. We would gather at each other´s houses along with our brother in law and nephews and nieces and spend quality time together, laughing late into the night, talking about our children, our grandchildren, our own funny childhood stories, current events, etc.
Mary was present at every major events in our lives and our children´s lives even when she wasn´t feeling well. She insisted on coming to Ryan´s wedding only a short time ago even when she was feeling weak and tired. Her presence meant so much to him and to all of us. It was just like her to give all she could for someone else.
Mary suffered with COPD for a while but was diagnosed with lung cancer only a short time ago. She was taken within weeks before we could even comprehend what was happening.
I have so many great memories of Mary as she was full of life, energy and fun. I´ll always remember her big smile and contagious laugh. When I think of who she was I can only describe her as sweet, humble, sensitive, giving, compassionate, loyal, and funny.
I will get by with my cherished memories of her and thank God that He gave me such a beautiful person to be my sister and walk through life with. May her sweet, beautiful soul brighten Heaven and rest in peace with my parents, my nephew Brian, and all our loved ones that have passed before us. Thank you Mary for sharing and giving so much of your beautiful life. I will think of you every day and those memories will get me through until we meet again. I Love you more than words can express!
Your sister Eileen
Thomas Collins
April 24, 2024
Mary, I miss you so much already. You, Kathy, and Eileen make the tripod of perfect aunts. We were and still are so blessed to have you be a part of our lives. Your love never wavered during my hard times and you were one of my biggest cheerleaders during the good times. I would kill for one of your voicemails right now. Christmas in Rockland are some of my fondest memories with all of us together and the late night movies. When you went home to God on my birthday I was selfishly devastated. Now I see it as a gift from God. I gained a personal guardian angel that day and we will forever be bonded. I miss and love you Mary.
George Coppola
April 23, 2024
To my sister in law Mary, I will always remember you when you were first in high school as a young lady and then growing into adulthood. You were always quick with a smile and well known to habitually laughing even when the event or joke wasn´t even that funny. You were always the life of the party and everybody enjoyed your humor. My mother who could be quite curt loved Mary very much. One of the many things we had in common was our love of the NY Yankees and we enjoyed it especially when they won. We found later in life that Mary was a prolific note taker and possessed boxes of notebooks that contained notes of everything pertinent in her life. That was the brilliance of Mary. But most of all, I will cherish Mary´s love of her entire family and her love of Jesus and his mother Mary and may Jesus continue to hold her in the palm of his hands.
Kathleen Coppola
April 23, 2024
My very precious Mary, you have filled our lives with much love and joy. You have filled my heart with so much love and wonderful memories that I will forever hold on to. I so treasure the late night conversations we had and of course the movies and Yankee games we watched together and the ID show we watched every night where we became experts at figuring out the outcome of the show before it ended. We could have been detectives lol. I miss your contagious laugh and silly jokes and most of all how you loved everyone. I have always admired your strength and faith in God during your difficult times in life. You have been a power of example to me, Mary. I was so very Blessed with you as my loving sister and loving friend and I will forever hold you in my heart. I know all of Heaven smiled when you arrived. I love you, Mary with all my heart and I thank God for you in my life. Until we can be together again my heart will forever smile at the thought of you. Love you so very much, my precious, beautiful Mary. We have been Blessed with you.
Mindy Coppola
April 22, 2024
I already miss you so much my sweet angel! You were so much more than just an Aunt. From the moment you walked into my life, you spent the rest of yours being my mother, my sister, my aunt, and most importantly my friend. You loved unconditionally, gave selflessly, and laughed endlessly. I will never forget the difference you made in my life, and the lives of my children. I will miss you for eternity, and can only hope to be half the woman that you were. Fly high baby, until we meet again.
olivia coppola
April 22, 2024
Even though mary was just my great aunt, i saw her as my aunt, she played a big role in my life from when i was a baby and all through my life. I remember when i was younger sitting in the garage with her singing songs i made up and laughing and telling jokes which she would always laugh at even if they weren't that funny. Mary was the sweetest, most kind-hearted person who would do anything for me and people she loved, on top of being witty and always knowing how to lighten the mood in tough situations. Even though i can't make new memories with Mary i will always cherish the memories i do have with her. life will never be the same without her, and i know she is in a better place where we can reunite some day.
Thomas Collins
April 22, 2024
My Sister Mary was the most loving most giving and unselfish person you can meet.She would give you the shirt off her back to please you as she was to giving to a fault and never ask anything in return. I have a lifetime of memories and love stored in my heart and will always remember her she was taken from us to Soon but I know she is in Peace now and praying for all of us as she has always done
Chris Coppola
April 22, 2024
Mary, this is your nephew and Godson, Chris, having you in my life brought me so much joy! Then having you live with us for the last 7 years made it so much fun. I am going to miss you so much, you have always looked out for me and others and it's something I will never forget!! My last recent funny memory together was our road trip to New York, it was a 15 hour drive and I was up all day, and you talked the entire ride to keep me awake. Everytime I think about it, I laugh and I cry, because you had a heart of Gold, and I know you must have been so exhausted, but you put me first! I love you so much, and I will Never forget you!! You are my Godmother and my sponsor for Confirmation!! You are the best, and life will not be the same without you. I love you Mary, with all my heart!! May God bless you up there, and say hello to everyone up there, and watch over us like you always have!!
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