Mary G. Corcoran, “Ting” (87) of Newport, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 23, 2018 in her home and in the company of her family. Mary was the wife of William W. Corcoran for 63 wonderful years.
Born Mary Jenkins on June 3, 1930, she was a life-long resident of Newport and a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School (1947). She became an active supporter of Rogers’s athletics and loved nothing better than watching her children and grandchildren play sports. She was also an avid tennis player and member of the Newport Casino well into her eighties.
Mary was best known for her enduring kindness. She graciously invited the public to use her property as a point of access to Lily Pond for ice skating, boating, and fishing. She founded the Friends of the Lily Pond Society, an organization devoted to protecting the pond from invasive species and maintaining it as a valuable resource for the community. Mary also ran Saint Augustin’s Soup Kitchen for thirty-five years, and delivered meals on wheels to countless homebound Newport residents for over forty years. She found joy in nature, animals, and birds, and was often seen removing spiders from her home by cradling them in her hands and gently placing them outside. In fact, the only creatures that ever received any sign of contempt from Mary were squirrels, English sparrows, and telemarketers.
Mary taught her seven children to appreciate fresh air, hard work and exercise, to care for their belongings without coveting expensive things, and to never ask someone to do something that you can do yourself.
Mary is predeceased by her beloved daughter, Anne Corcoran Galvin. Aside from her husband, William, Mary is survived by six children and their spouses, Mary Ellen (Ellie) Corcoran of Portsmouth, William and Karen Corcoran of Newport, Andrew Corcoran of Newport, Mardie Corcoran and Paul Leys of Newport, Frank Corcoran of the Bronx, Jane Corcoran and Tony Leach of Middletown, and son-in-law Dave Galvin of Newport’s Fifth Ward. Mary is also survived by 13 grandchildren, an English bulldog named Binney, and a warm feeling in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 4PM to 7PM at O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 27th at 10:00AM at St. Augustin’s Church, Carroll Avenue, Newport. Burial will follow St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Brown’s Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, 70 Bath Street, Providence, RI 02908, or the Roger’s Boosters Club, c/o Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Rd, Newport, RI 02840.
