MARY MCGARRY MEINHARD

Mary McGarry Meinhard lived a long, full life. Born on October 28, 1929, she passed away on September 23, 2023, at the age of 93. She and her husband, Richard J. Meinhard (1930-2000) raised six children in Barrington and were grandparents to seven. Mary was born in Atlanta, GA on October 28, 1929. Born the middle child of three (older brother, Maurice McGarry and younger sister, Elizabeth McGarry), she moved with her family to New York City in 1930. Mary attended a Catholic grade school, St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights, then St. Walburga's Academy of Society of the Holy Child Jesus high school on Riverside Drive in Manhattan. Mary then attended SUNY in New Paltz, NY, before she began to work at NBC as part of the guide staff in Rockefeller Center while attending Fordham University for one year. In 1949, she worked at WABY, a radio station in Albany, NY, then later in sales for WGY in Schenectady, NY. Later, she became an assistant media director at BBDO advertising in Buffalo. In 1954, Mary decided to travel. She became a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, working for the U.S. Refugee screening team in Graz, Austria. She met Richard Meinhard there. She was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts. She was a member, then president of the Barrington Junior Women's Club, and taught CCD at St. Anne's school. In 1976, Mary started part-time work at the St. Anne School library while attending night school at Harper College to earn her associate degree in library science. In 1979, she became the first full-time librarian at St. Anne's. She retired in 1989. Mary enjoyed volunteering for the church over the years in several different ministries. Mary is survived by her children, Bob (Becky), Kathy, Sue Smith (Bill), Jean Gilson (Chris), Lisa Sly (Bob) and Kristin Reynolds (Bill); and seven grandchildren, Megan, Eric, Jake, Kate, Tom, Liz and Allie; and sister, Liz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Visitation will be held at 9:30 am until the time of mass at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 27, at St. Anne Catholic Community Church, 120 Ela St., Barrington. For more information, please visit www.davenportfamily.com.