Obituary of Marion E. Mahoney

Marion Gorman Mahoney died Saturday, September 9, 2006 at the age of 107. Marion was born June 20, 1899 in Pompey, New York, the daughter of John P. and Nellie (Carey) Gorman. She was the widow of former New York Telephone Company executive R. T. Mahoney, who died in 1983. Mrs. Mahoney graduated from Central High School and the Central City Business Institute. She was associated with the Crane Company prior to her marriage in 1925. While a student at Central High, she was suspended from school for participating in a student walkout in support of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Two years later the U.S. Constitution was amended and American women got the right to vote. Many years afterward, Mahoney recalled" My father was both proud and embarrassed. Proud that I stood up for what I believed; and embarrassed that he had to go to the school Principal to get me readmitted." Marion was very involved in the Catholic Church. She and her husband were founding members of St. James Parish in the Valley. She was President of the Altar and Rosary Society. She was also active in the CBA Mother's Club and the LeMoyne College Guild. She served for several years on the Board of the Ludden Club, an organization which sponsored and supported a home for young, unmarried working Catholic girls in Syracuse. She was on the Board of the House of Providence Orphanage Guild, a charter member of the Loretto Guild, and the Grand Sultana of the Order of the Alhambra. At the dedication of St. James grammar school fifty years ago, the late Bishop Walter A. Foery introduced her as "Mrs. St. James." Along with her church-affiliated activities, Mrs. Mahoney was also involved in a number of civic organizations. She was a member of the St. Joseph's Hospital Guild, the Community Hospital Guild, the Red Cross and the Home Bureau. A committed Democrat, Marion was both a Committee Member and an elections inspector for several decades. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Mahoney was predeceased by her son, Richard C. Mahoney and his wife, LeMoyne O'Hara Mahoney; her son-in-law, James H. Eichler and her siblings, Paul F. Gorman, J. Daniel Gorman, Helen Gorman Schoeneck and Margaret Gorman. She is also survived by her daughters, Ann P. Eichler of Onondaga Hill, New York and Noreen M. (Paul) Sherman of Delmar, New York; her son, John Francis (Mary) Mahoney of Onondaga Hill, New York; 14 grandchildren, Paul J. Sherman, Michael R Sherman, Kathleen Sutter, Margaret Wong and Mary T. Bergquist, Marylou Cessna, Richard C. Mahoney, Jr., Mark Mahoney and Suzanne Simmons, Dr. Thomas J. Eichler, Terry Hohl, Susan Kirkby, Mimi Ryan, and Kate Mahoney; 31 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, Marion left behind scores of wonderful friends and dedicated professionals at St. Camillus. Calling Hours: Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at St. James Church, 4845 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York. Funeral Service: Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 11:00 a.m. in St. James Church, 4845 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated. Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, 4100 E. Genesee Street, Dewitt, New York. Friends are urged to contribute to the Sisters of the 3rd Franciscan Order, 1118 Court St, Syracuse, New York 13208