RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 30, 2010, Death Notices
Mary Cornils
Longtime Merrick Life office manager, Mary Cornils died at the age of 79.
Mary Cornils, former office manager of Merrick Life, died on Saturday, September 25, at the age of 79. She was the kind of person who made people think of the popular song “When Irish Eyes Are Smilin” for her friendly personality that affected most people she met.
After graduating from Valley Stream High School, Mary worked as a secretary in the city. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Ron.
They married in 1953 and moved to Merrick in 1957. Ron, an only child, and Mary, having been raised in foster care, decided they wanted a large family – and they did.
While raising eight children, Mary worked as a homemaker, then as a secretary in a legal firm before working at Merrick Life in various capacities, including office manager.
In the early 1990s Mary was reunited with her three brothers, whom she was separated from in early childhood, and was pleased to find out about her six nieces and nephews and their children. She was proud of her extended family. Mary was a devoted and much-loved mother to her eight children.
Her quiet grace and unyielding strength is evident in her children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and beloved cat, Pippy. Mrs. Cornils is survived by her four daughters, Kathleen Cornils, Maureen Danelezyk (Bill), May Cox (Joe), Carolyn Cornils; and her four sons, Kevin, Thomas, Paul and Kerry. Her husband pre-deceased her. She also leaves behind her brothers Joseph, Donald and James Ennis; daughter-in-law Lilyanna Cornils; and grandchildren Kristin, Wil, Dawn, Brian, Brooke, John and Melissa.
The family received visitors at N.F. Walker Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial officiated by the Rev. Thomas Gallagher was held at Sacred Heart Church in North Merrick. Burial was at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.
