Mary L. McKinlay

Mary L. McKinlay , 85, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, October 12, 2020.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Mountainside. Viewing will be held prior to the mass at 9:00 AM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield.

Mary was born on March 7, 1935 to Stephen and Emma Kalapos. She was born and raised in Carteret, NJ. She graduated from St Mary’s High School in Perth Amboy, N.J. in 1953 and went on to attend Muhlenberg Hospital School of Nursing in Plainfield, NJ, from 1953 through 1956.  After becoming a Registered Nurse in 1956 she went on to work at Perth Amboy General Hospital, Muhlenberg Hospital and Overlook Hospital through the 1970’s.  She finished her nursing career at the Westfield Orthopedic Group in 1985.

Mary married the love of her life, William McKinlay in 1960 and for 51 years shared a wonderful, loving marriage together settling in Westfield.  They lived in Westfield for forty-five years and were parishioners at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church.  Mary and her husband moved to Mountainside in 2007, where they became parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Family always came first for Mary.  They had 2 children, Mary (Hilongos) of Mountainside, NJ and William Jr. of Sarasota, FL who were her pride and joy. She enjoyed spending time at their family home down the shore, travelling throughout the country, crocheting afghans for family and friends, baking, bingo, taking care of her roses, and spoiling her grandchildren who meant everything to her.

She is predeceased by her husband, William McKinlay, mother and father, Stephen and Emma Kalapos, and her sister, Margaret Sanker.

She is survived by her children, Mary and William, sister, Irene Hachat of Monroe, NJ.   Son in law Robert Hilongos and daughter in law, Christine McKinlay and four grandchildren – Robby, Erin and Ryan Hilongos and Trip McKinlay.

In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made in her memory to the charity of your choice.

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