Obituary of Margaret Mary Finlay

 Margaret M Finlay (nee Begley), 88, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. She died peacefully and gracefully after suffering complications from a minor fall.  Family surrounded her at the hour of her death.   

Margie is survived by her four sons: Thomas, Donald (Michelle), Gregg (Frances) and Brian (Peggy); favorite son-in-law John Celentano; grandchildren Dylan (Danielle), Kyle (Alison), Nora and Brian; great-grandchildren Faye, Emma, and Olivia; sisters Eileen McCool, Anne White and Marie O’Brien; sister-in-laws Marie Kennedy, Patricia Gazlay and Eileen Batthany; brother-in-laws Todd White, Bill O’Brien, Tom Monte and Steve Batthany; 26 nieces and nephews and their spouses and numerous cousins.   

Margie is preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Emmett Finlay; her only daughter Margaret E. Celentano; her parents Margaret (Clark) and Thomas Begley; sisters Maureen Monaghan and Patricia Monte; and brother-in-laws James McCool, Frank Monaghan, Frank Gazlay and Jay Kennedy. 

Margie was born on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in 1931 and grew up in Sunny Side, Queens.  She graduated Blessed Sacrament High School and then took advanced Nursing classes, eventually working in medical research.   

She was the eldest of six girls: Eileen, Anne, Maureen, Marie and Patricia. Their father Thomas passed away at the age 37 leaving his beloved wife to raise the six girls. Their cousin Margaret McBride came to live with them and quickly became another “sister” to the girls. The family grew up financially stressed and the girls all learned a work ethic, sense of family and compassion that would remain with them through their lives.   

Margie and Donald were married in 1957 and eventually settled in Queens Village, NY.  Tom (1959), Donald (1960) and Gregg (1962) were born within four years of each other. Shortly after Margaret’s birth (1963), the Finlay’s moved to Manhasset in 1966.  Brian was born in 1968.  Margie worked tirelessly raising the five children, while Donald built a career at IBM.  In 1980, Donald unexpectedly passed of a heart attack leaving Margie widowed with five children.  Margie remained steadfast raising their children and instilling the work ethic and sense of family she grew up with.   

In addition to God, Margie’s sisters, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends were instrumental in successfully navigating her husband’s sudden passing. Again, reinforcing the importance of family to her. Margie was proud and grateful of her entire family and the success they all achieved. During this period, Margaret returned to work as an administrator until her retirement. 

She was blessed with four grandchildren who were her shining light. Dylan and Kyle lived in Florida and she spent considerable time on the phone either talking to them or learning what they were up to.  Every summer “Gram” looked forward to Dylan and Kyle’s visit. 

In 2004, Brian and Peggy had twins Nora and Brian.  This was a renewed vigor in Margie’s life and Gram excitedly helped raise the twins. Every day from the day Nora and Brian were born, Gram was there to help feed, bathe, teach and most importantly, love them.  Peggy and Gram would take the twins on day trips like the park, the carousal at Fortunoff and even Gram’s favorite store, Home Depot. Gram and Peggy developed a deep Mother/Daughter bond and the four of them were inseparable.  Gram would say, “they helped me more than I have helped them”.   

Margie served as President of the Flower Hills Women’s Club from 1977 -79 after serving in various officer roles and continued her participation in the club for many years.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed mystery and detective books.  It was not uncommon for Margaret to read two paperbacks in a week, as well as reading the newspaper each day from cover to cover. Margaret was proud of her Scotch/Irish roots and was a devout Catholic. She was an unwavering friend when somebody was in need.  Her compassion was paramount in her life and she spent many hours with loved ones that were terminal. Most of all, she loved chatting with her family, friends and grandchildren and hearing all about their accomplishments. She would end each of her calls with “Toodle Loo”, which is a kind soul’s way of saying goodbye.     

The family deeply thanks Dr. David Breidbart, Dr. Joel Goldberg and their staff for their caring help and thoughtfulness throughout the years. We also thank Adriana Breen, ANP-BC,GNP, a terrific friend whose guidance and compassion this week was miraculous. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Cenacle Sisters of Ronkonkoma, www.cenaclesisters.org/ronkonkoma/Donate/, or The Lead The Way Fund, www.leadthewayfund.org.