Mary (McCloskey) Brockway

Mary Agatha (McCloskey) Brockway passed away peacefully on December 19th 2017. She was 103 years old and the oldest of 6 children born to Edward & Anna McCloskey

Mary was a legendary member of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Frederick MD. Legendary, not only due to her age, but because as a young girl she personally knew and often visited Mother Katharine, who later become known as Saint Katharine Drexel. She would tell stories of sitting with Mother Katharine discussing her dreams of growing up and one day becoming a nurse.

Well, Mary went on to become that nurse and served in the US Army Corps, Second Lieutenant, during WWII. She was stationed in Hawaii, treating and helping soldiers recover from traumatic wounds so they could transition back home to the States. Dan, her late husband, used to say that when he was at war in Czechoslovakia, freezing in a fox hole, Mary was in Hawaii…and who do you think is the smarter?

Mary was a charming, independent, good listener and not shy about giving advice on love, God and career choices to anyone including Bishops, Philosophers and teenagers.

She had a great ‘Irish’ sense of humor which she kept sharp by regularly sparring with her 2 loving brothers Jack and Jim McCloskey.

She truly welcomed and enjoyed everyone’s company and her positive ever smiling demeanor seemed to amplify the good attributes in everyone around her.

Mary had a sharp mind and enjoyed telling fascinating and quite detailed stories of her childhood. She was a great balance of beauty & intelligence inspiring early courtship with late husband Dan, who she met in college. She enjoyed a long loving marriage of 58 years to Dan. On occasion, he would be heard saying to his bride of 50+ years, "Do you think this marriage will last?", and with an embracing smooch, sparking the light of love all over again.

She also loved the color pink which was slightly evident by some furniture, wallpaper, bedspreads, tablecloths, clothing, jewelry and flowers Dan would often bring her.

Though she had a long and wonderful life she will be greatly missed. Just knowing Mary seemed to make life more fulfilled and interesting.

Before she moved on, Mary wanted everyone to know that "God made a wonderful world. We should love God, family and neighbors as ourselves, and to truly get along in life we need to help and care for one another."

Her family wants to thank neighbors who always helped by shoveling snow and delivering mail, caregivers who became more than friends, and church members who became extended family.

Mary is survived by her brothers Jack and Jim McCloskey. Her 4 children Joan (and Richard) Bennett, Karen Adams, Dan (and Rita) Brockway and Mary (and Steve) Karth. She was known as Nana to her 13 Grandchildren Anna Kittle, Aaron Gilbert, John Gilbert, Jake Adams, Jeff Adams, Elisabeth Tellegen, Daniel and Zachary Brockway, Lauren Dutrow, Katie Cline, Joe, Tim, and Paul Karth. And 8 great Grandchildren: Judah Gilbert; Aidan, Liam and Ronan Dutrow; Kevin and Cadence Cline; and Olive and Sonny Tellegen

Service to celebrate her long life will be:

Viewing (Jan 4th 5-8 pm) - Stauffer Funeral home on Opossumtown Pike in Frederick MD

Mass (Jan 5th at noon) - St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Opossumtown Pike Frederick MD

She will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Gardens 9501 Catoctin Highway Frederick MD immediately following the service.