Obituary of Mary J. Carr

Mary J. Carr of Camillus, New York died peacefully at home on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at the age of 85. Mary was born in New York City, New York on May 9, 1920, the beloved daughter of Edward F. and Mary J. Carr (both deceased). The family moved to Syracuse, New York in 1924 and her parents were among the founding members of St. James Parish in the Valley. She was valedictorian of the 1937 class of Onondaga Valley Academy, graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1941 and Syracuse University Law School in 1944. Mary began her long career as an attorney with Hancock, Dorr, Ryan and Shove Law Firm in Syracuse. Upon relocating to New York City, she was employed by Mendes and Mount for 10 years working after that for the City of New York in the Human Services Administration until she retired at the age of 75. She returned to the Syracuse area in 1994. Mary was a member of the Onondaga County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Democratic candidate for Supervisor of the Fourteenth Ward in 1947. After her retirement, she served for six years on the Diocese of Syracuse Commission on Women in Church and Society. In addition, she was a member of Aurora/Lighthouse Community, a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Manhattan and St. James Church in Syracuse. She will be remembered most fondly for her encyclopedic knowledge, her sparkling wit, her panache for wearing hats, and the unique gifts she gave. Mary is survived by her brother, Edward F. Carr and his wife Wendy, of Framingham. Massachusetts; two sisters, Norah C. Depperman of DeWitt, New York and Kathryn A. Clark of Camillus, New York as well as her nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Carr, Patrick Carr (Kelly), Esther Paris (Gregory), Regina Depperman McCue (Thomas), Mary Frances Clark (Richard Armstrong), John L. Clark (Christine), Loretta A. Hughes (Thomas), Daniel J. Clark (Kristin), Kathryn T. Smeenk (Carl), Gregory T. Clark, Virginia J. Nicastro (Gary), Stephen G. Clark and many grand nieces and nephews. Services: Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 11:15 a.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 noon in St. James Church. Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, 4100 E. Genesee Street, DeWitt, New York. Calling Hours: Monday, September 19, 2005, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York. Contributions: St. James Church, 4845 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York 13205