OXFORD – Marie L. O’Reilly, 87, formerly of Fayette Street, Oxford, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 7, 2007 in the New York State Veterans Home of Oxford, where she had made her home for the past two years.
Born in Pearl River on Feb. 4, 1920, Marie was one of the two children of Henry and Katherine (Browne) Blakesley. She grew up in the Pearl River area, attended the local schools, and married Joseph M. O’Reilly in Spring Valley on Sept. 4, 1935. The O’Reillys continued to live in the Pearl River area, where Marie devoted herself to her home and her family. In 1955, the family relocated to Mystic, Conn., residing there through 1972 when they made the move to Oxford and Joe opened the Red and White Grocery Store on the park. Though Marie was occupied by her family, she made the time to help in the store as she was needed. She also loved to read and coffee klatch with good friends. Never able to resist a good bargain, Marie would attend garage sales and pick up things which she would later give away to family and friends. She was active in the RSVP program, and was a long-time communicant of St. Joseph’s Church of Oxford, attending services until her health curtailed her activities.
Marie is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary and Richard Kozek of Mystic, Conn.; Helena and Paul Jackson of Freeville, Ann Rousseau of Mystic, Robert and Donna O’Reilly of San Antonio, Texas; Henry and Patricia O’Reilly of Mystic, William and Catha O’Reilly of Wilmington, N.C.; and Timothy and Dianne O’Reilly of Norwich; by 33 grandchildren, and several great and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in August of 1993; by her son, Joseph, in 1990; and by her brother, Al Blakesley.
Funeral services for Marie will be held at 6 p.m. Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Thomas I. Ward, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church of Oxford, will officiate. Committal services will be in the spring. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Mon. from 1-3 and 5-6 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Oxford Emergency Squad, Oxford, NY 13830.