Mary Conway

Mary Margaret Conway, MD died suddenly on October 24, while doing what she loved, treating patients at her practice in Washington, N.C. She was 60 years old.

Mary was born on March 19, 1951 in Monticello, the first born child of John J. and Ida Mae Fredenburgh Conway. She attended St. Peter's School in Monticello through eighth grade, and St. Joseph Mountain School in Forestburgh, graduating in the class of 1968.

From the time she was eleven years old, Mary had one goal in life: to become a medical doctor. She volunteered for many years as a Candy Striper at Hamilton Avenue Hospital in Monticello and later worked there as a Nurse's Aide, as well.

Mary attended Notre Dame College of Staten Island and Bloomfield College, earning a Bachelor's Degree in biology and then obtained her nursing degree. She was employed as a Registered Nurse at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey and then in the Emergency Room at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Forsaking nursing at the height of her career to pursue her ultimate goal of becoming a physician, Mary attended Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico, falling in love with the area and the people who lived there and remaining to work in the free clinic for several years. She later worked at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT and received a fellowship to East Carolina University Hospital in Greenville, N.C. before entering private practice as an internist in Washington, N.C.

Mary owned and bred Quarter Horses and loved to travel with her rescued dogs to shows throughout the country. She belonged to several Quarter Horse Associations.

She is survived by brothers, John Conway and his wife Debra of Barryville, NY, and Joseph Conway and his wife Margaret of Liberty, NY and sisters Nancy Fraser and husband Robert of Swan Lake and Joanne Jasper of Rock Hill, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, her mother, and two sisters, Theresa and Jane.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11 AM in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church 264 North Main Street in Liberty, NY. Monsignor William Collins will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Rock Ridge Ave., Monticello, NY.

Memorial contributions in Mary's memory may be made to the Sullivan County S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 995 Rock Hill, NY 12775.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com