Mary A. Barras (née Flahive) passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. She was 86 years old.
On February 27, 1934, Mary was born on her family farm in Glenderry, just west of Ballyheigue, in County Kerry, Ireland to her parents, John and Bridget Flahive. After receiving an education, Mary spent her teenage years working at a convent in Tralee, Ireland. Mary left the emerald isle and immigrated to Newark, New Jersey on August 11, 1951, where she met the love of her life, George Barras.
She often told loving stories of going to dances in Newark and frequenting McGovern’s Tavern with her future husband. George and Mary were married at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on November 10, 1956. After leaving Newark, George and Mary first moved to East Orange, before settling down in Livingston in 1967, where they raised their daughters and lived for the past 53 years.
Mary lived an ordinary life filled with extraordinary love. She could always be counted on to welcome her grandchildren in at any time, without warning, and offer them anything she had along with a long chat. Most of all, she instilled a deep sense of “being Irish” in her children and grandchildren, which will continue to be passed down.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, George; her four daughters: Eileen Lucich, Joan (Bill) DeVizio, Catherine (David) Lindsey, and Mary Pena; her ten grandchildren: Jennifer Gralitzer, Matthew Lucich, Andrew (Ciara) DeVizio, Sean (Kristen) Lindsey, Sarah DeVizio, Jonathan Pena, Ryan (Michelle) Lindsey, Jason Pena, Brendan Lindsey, and William DeVizio; and her three great-grandchildren: Jacob Gralitzer, Ava Gralitzer, and Jack DeVizio.
Mary was predeceased by her daughter, Kathleen, who was waiting at heaven’s gates when Mary arrived in the early hours of November 2, 2020.
A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Arrangements have been entrusted to Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to St. Philomena’s Church.
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