MARY KRESKY

1936 - 2022

KRESKY--Mary McAniff. Mary McAniff Kresky, a lifelong New Yorker, died peacefully with family at her side in New York City on July 3, 2022 after a brief illness. She was 86. Born in Manhattan on April 18, 1936 to Josephine (Toomey) McAniff, an educator, and John E. McAniff, a longtime professor at Fordham Law School, Mary attended Corpus Christi Grammar School, St. Walburga's Academy, and the College of New Rochelle, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History in 1958. She also did graduate work toward a Master of Arts in American History at Columbia University. After graduation from college, Mary taught secondary school in Mexico and New York. In 1960, Mary began working for Governor Nelson Rockefeller, beginning a multi-decade association with Governor Rockefeller and his immediate family which continued long after her official retirement in 1994. Joseph Persico, Governor Rockefeller's former head speechwriter who later wrote a biography of Nelson Rockefeller, wrote "Another insider was Mary Kresky, young, attractive, enormously well liked, and professionally as tough as a rivet. Kresky was involved in his key policy decisions and enjoyed an unusual rapport with Rockefeller -- when she talked, he listened." Mary served as an Executor of the late Governor's estate. Mary also served on the board of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield from 1975 to 1988, and she volunteered as a tutor at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School for over twenty years. In addition to her many professional achievements, Mary's excellent judgment caused family, friends, and colleagues to regularly seek her counsel, which she dispensed with compassion and discretion. If you had a problem, Mary Kresky was a very good person to help you think it through. Mary was earnestly engaged with people of all stripes. Her view was that everyone had things worth knowing, and her probing questions and genuine interest often brought out the best in others. Mary was gracious, considerate, an outstanding listener, and had a lovely sense of humor. With her keen intelligence, upbeat demeanor, and vast reservoirs of kindness, Mary Kresky had admirers far and wide. The family is grateful for all the kind words, prayers and support given. Mary was deeply loved and a treasure to all who knew her. Mary is survived by her brother Edward J. McAniff (Jane); step-daughters Ann Kresky Banegas (Hector) and Susan Kresky Gallwey (Stephen); nephews and nieces John McAniff, Maura McAniff Johnson (Robin), Nancy McAniff Annick (Greg), Seana McAniff, Peter McAniff (Jerilyn), Kathleen McAniff Banta (Brad), Mary Jo Graham (Russell), and Terrence Graham (Denise); as well as grandchildren Jeremiah (Sara; and great-granddaughter Ava) and Abigail Banegas, and Jane (Sam), Nicholas, and Anna Gallwey. Mary was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 40 years, Edward M. Kresky, her dear sister Anne McAniff Graham and Terrence Graham, and her beloved parents. A funeral Mass to be celebrated by her lifelong friend and Corpus Christi School mate, Rev. Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J., will take place on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 10:30am at Corpus Christi Church at 529 West 121st Street, New York, New York, 10027. For additional information, please email marykreskymemorial@ gmail.com