Mary Hanley Obituary

March 17, 1937 – December 25, 2023

JOHNSON CITY - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary P. Hanley, age 87, of Johnson City. She passed away surrounded by her loving family on Christmas Day, 2023. Mary was born on St. Patrick's Day, 1937, in the Bronx, NY, to the late Alfred and Maryann Murphy.

After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1955, Mary Pat worked as a secretary and clerk in NYC. In May of 1963 she married the love of her life, Bernard T. Hanley. Together they had and raised four sons, Peter, Michael, Patrick, and Kevin. They would remain happily married for fifty-six years until Bernie's passing in 2021.

Her husband's career led the family from New Jersey to Arizona, California, and then back to New Jersey. In 1990, she arrived in Johnson City, Tennessee, when her husband took over the financial restructuring of PET Dairies. Mary and Bernie settled permanently in Johnson City, where they watched their sons marry and give them their twelve beloved grandchildren. She was an active member and volunteer at her parish, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and several other support and care groups.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law; Peter and Lynn of Brentwood, TN; Michael and Jenna of Lebanon, NJ; Patrick and Jenny of Little Rock, AR; and Kevin and Holly of Baton Rouge, LA; her brother James Murphy of Flagstaff AZ; her sister-in-law Maureen Hanley of New Milford, NJ; her 12 grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews.

Mary is also survived by the untold number of people she "adopted" into her family over the decades. During her many years of service in charity and support groups, she touched the lives of a multitude of people. She had an extraordinary ability to make everyone seen, heard, and valued. Whether it was a comforting presence during difficult times, sharing laughter in a moment of joy, or simply being there to remind you that there is always hope for a better tomorrow. In this way and countless others, she embodied the true nature of motherhood.

A funeral mass for Mary will be held on February 3rd at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Johnson City, Tennessee at 11 am. Instead of flowers, please make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society in care of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Johnson City.