Marie "Mary Margaret" Songey

Marie passed away peacefully at the age of 97, surrounded by family, in the early morning hours of November 16, 2025.

Marie was the first born child of Peter J. Hegarty, a native of Ireland, and Elizabeth Ryan Hegarty. She was born on August 10, 1928. She was predeceased by Howard, her beloved husband of 73 years, sister, Aileen Rounseville, and her brothers Peter J. Hegarty Jr. and Bill Hegarty.

Marie and Howard are now reunited. She is survived by her deeply loved children and cherished "outlaws", Susan (late husband Jim), Christine (Greg), Diane (Steve), Art (Janet), Jim (Jeannine), Dan (Amy), Aileen (Paul) and Maria (Jeff). Marie was a treasured grandmother and great grandmother. She was blessed with 28 grandchildren and their spouses, and 21 great grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable joy. Marie is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins in Ireland and friends who are like family.

Marie was raised in Oakland, California and attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Presentation High School.

After graduation, Marie attended Samuel Gompers Trade School for radio broadcasting. She was later hired by the NBC radio station at Taylor and O'Farrell in San Francisco, working with famous personalities such as Jack Benny and Bing Crosby. One of the producers that Marie worked with at NBC recommended her to KSFO radio to be the personality for a newly created Saturday morning children's show in which she ended up playing a role similar to that of Romper Room's Miss Nancy and Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

Marie married Howard, the love of her life, on June 11, 1949, and in May of 1950, her first of eight children, Susan, was born. And so began her new career. This was the job she always said was her most important one of all… that of a mother.

Marie was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was a devout Catholic. She lived a faith filled life of service and her dedication and devotion to Our Lady of Grace parish and school was legendary. She began her involvement in OLG parish activities in the later part of the 1950s as a member of St. Catherine's Guild, directing a play and acting in it with other Guild members, staged in the priests' garage. Among her numerous other endeavors, she ran Grandma's Attic, a booth at the OLG fall festival for many years; directed and participated in parish talent shows, musicals and plays, including a Thanksgiving play and the annual Christmas pageant, which included a large contingent of children and parishioners, complete with drummer boys and baby angels. During the annual week when OLG School offered mini classes, she taught cooking to the 7 th and 8 th grade boys, culminating in a prepared and served lunch for the priests. She taught Irish dancing to OLG and Corpus Christi students who shared their newfound talent with the residents of nursing and rest homes on St. Patrick's Day. Marie was also a committee chair for Our Lady's Guild and past president of the Our Lady of Grace School Board.

At church, Marie was a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Sunday masses and took communion to the homebound as a Visitor of the Sick. She was a longtime reader of Good Friday's Stations of the Cross, including, for several years, performing a dramatization soliloquy of Mary speaking to her crucified Son. Another year, she delivered an emotional soliloquy of excruciating sorrow as Judas' mother. In addition, Marie taught CCD to the Catholic children who attended public school and was also the CCD Secretary and assistant to her friend, Sister Angela Persano.

Marie and Howard had an exemplary marriage and their family life with their children was magical, loving and fun. Gathering around the dinner table at night was a reset for the day. Lively conversation and laughter was the norm. At any time, there could be additional plates added to the table of ten for any visitors, expected or not. All were welcome. The sharp, but inviting, smell of freshly brewed black coffee on standby supplied the fuel for uplifting conversations or spirited disagreements, inevitably concluding with an invigorating tight hug, infectious smile and a parting "God loves you!" that made you wish you didn't have to depart. Marie created a home brimming with love; a home everyone wanted to return to; a home where you could linger and soak up all that is right with the world.

No obituary can capture the magic, spirit and light of Marie Songey. Her energy, kindness, innate intelligence and wisdom were boundless. Her faith life was powerful. She truly lived life as God intended it to be lived. Marie was a faithful witness, and her faith filled life a testament to her belief in God. She was the embodiment of a moral compass of right and wrong.

You were an angel in the shape of my mom

When I fell down you'd be there holding me up

Spread your wings as you go

When God takes you back

He'll say "Hallelujah, you're home"

- Ed Sheeran

A vigil for Marie will be held on Monday, December 8 th from 4-8pm at Holy Sepulchre Funeral Home, 1051 Harder Road in Hayward with the rosary beginning at 6pm.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11am on Tuesday, December 9 th at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 3433 Somerset Avenue in Castro Valley.