Loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary Frances (Keegan) Spada, 92, of Kingston, NY, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2023, after a long illness, surrounded by family and friends.

Mary was born on June 13, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY. She was the daughter of Terence Keegan of Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, Ireland, and Mary Ellen (Berry) of Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Mary graduated from Catherine McAuley Catholic High School in Brooklyn. A skilled nurse and educator, she received her degree in Registered Nursing from the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn School of Nursing, a B.S. from St. John’s University, a Master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Supervision from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Mary was a faculty member at the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, and later taught at the Benedictine Hospital School of Nursing in Kingston from 1962 until its closing in 1967. She was then hired as a School Nurse Teacher by Kingston City Schools Consolidated. During her tenure, Mary worked at a number of elementary schools in the District as well as Kingston High School. She retired as Supervisor of the Department of School Nurses in 1993.

In 1961, Mary came to Kingston for a weekend respite and ended up meeting her future husband of 61 years and the love of her life, Albert Spada. They married in 1962 and built their family in Kingston. She was a wonderful and loving mother to her children, Albert (Laura) Spada of Westport, CT, Charles (Dr. Courtney) Spada of Greenwich, CT, and Alison Spada (Thomas Reilly) of Washington, D.C.; and a devoted grandmother of Emma, Matthew, Katherine, Caroline, Luke, Thomas, and Jake. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Keegan Basile, of Ulster Park and her brother Terence (Maureen) Keegan of Lake Carmel, NY, and many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as treasured friends.

Mary was dedicated to her community and to giving back. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honorary society of women educators, and a lifetime member of the Nurses’ Alumnae Association of the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn. She was also a longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish Altar Rosary Society, the Kingston Retired Teachers Association, the Ladies Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Benedictine Auxiliary Association. Mary also served as a member of the Advisory Council of Nursing of UCCC, the Professional Nursing Network of Community Health Agencies, the Ulster County Task Force on Child Abuse, the Hudson Valley Health Systems Agency, the Board of Advisors of the local Cancer Society, the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Senior Residence, St. Mary’s Parish Council, and served as a volunteer at Benedictine Hospital.

Mary wanted to extend a special thank you to the many wonderful people who helped to take care of her and her family, especially Ellen Hughes, Lisa McKoy, Karen Reilly, and Cynthia Robinson.

Mary will be remembered and treasured for many things. Above all, her deep faith and her love of family and friends will endure.