If you knew her well, you’d know that Mary Jane Leggett (née Prior) was here for a good time, not a long time. Our “Wee Bonnie Lass” reunited with her parents, 4 big brothers, and husband Harry on March 13, 2024, after a feisty battle that took us all by surprise. Bonnie was a proud Irish Catholic American, born and bred in the South Bronx on April 19, 1942, and raised with aunts, uncles and cousins gathering every Sunday for dinner. If you asked what part of the Bronx she was from, she would say St. Jerome’s – her parish and school – and more specifically, “One Hundred Forty First Street”. Mary made friends wherever she went – she settled in Tappan, NY in 1976 with her family and never met a stranger. A faithful parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, she was involved in Altar Rosary Society, parish council, CYO and bingo, but she will forever be remembered for her legendary Mystery Bus Rides. Mary would tell you that she never worked a day in her life – over two decades with her friends at St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC), and 30 years as a realtor with Joyce Realty. However, her best accomplishment was her family in her roles as Mom & Honey. Mary is survived by her daughter Shannon of New York City, and her son Christopher, his wife Cait, and their daughters Bridget and Caragh of Moorestown, NJ. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Marge Prior of Northville, MI, best friend Ann McGrath of Airmont, NY, as well as a lifetime of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless good friends. Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan, NY, with burial to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. The family would like to thank the staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as Nyack Hospital, for their amazing support and care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mary’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (dogood.t2t.org) or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (givenow.lls.org).
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman who I was luck to call my cousin. Rest in peace, dear Bonnie, and thank you to her children and granddaughters who made her life even more beautiful.
Such a sweet caring soul. Met her as a realtor and she took such good care of us. We kept in touch over the years with the help of Facebook May she rest in Gods promised peace
Aunt Bonnie. Sorry we lost touch, been on my mind to long , & now u get to be with Mom & Dad & ur Brothers Sister in Laws Love 2 Shannon and Christopher & Family. Love u all xoxo
Our lovely neighbor and friend, Bonnie, we will miss your long standing presence and sense of humor. Until we meet again for a chat and a glass of wine….Margaret Giuliano and family
One of the most beautiful people I’ve known. Mary “Bonnie” was a beloved part of the STAC family. Always cheerful and kind to all. Mary would reach out to our students in the most positive way. Never too busy to answer a question or simply stop and chat. We have lost a lovely lady. God bless you my dear friend.
Mary,
In many ways, you were at the center of life at STAC. Your office gave you a great perspective on the goings and comings of everyone on campus. For so many of us, it was a joy to stop and chat, to laugh, to talk about family and friends, to discuss important life concerns, to engage in politics, and to share who we were with our hopes and dreams. When you retired from STAC, I was happy for you and sad for me.
But, of course, your home always had an open door where I had lunch, a glass of wine, and always a cup of tea.
You made me laugh, we cried together, and we were comforted by our Catholic faith. Mary, continue to watch over us.
Love, Doc (Margaret Fitzpatrick)
Aunt Bonnie,
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you, your so much more than just my Aunt were my best friend, my confidant since I was a little girl. I’m finding it quite difficult to reconcile you not being here. We had great times a few sad ones but most of all we were always together for all of it. I miss you very much.