Marie Mcgrath

Marie McGrath, “Joie de Vivre”, Professor Emeritus

Marie McGrath, 98, of 8 Lake Forest Drive and formerly of West Court Street in Plattsburgh, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 30, 2018, with her family by her side.

Marie was born in Plattsburgh to Frank and Jennie Jabaut. She graduated from St. John’s Academy and from SUNY-Plattsburgh (then the Normal School), after which she began her distinguished teaching career at a high school in Ravena, New York.

In July 1944, Marie married Army Capt. Joseph McGrath, whom she met during her student days in Plattsburgh. The following year, when Joseph was stationed overseas, Marie began to teach nutrition at SUNY-Plattsburgh, later earning her Master’s at Columbia University Teachers’ College in New York.

Marie’s career in the Home Economics department at Plattsburgh lasted three decades, until her retirement as Professor Emeritus in 1976. Known for her keen wit and intelligence, intact even into her 90s, she maintained warm friendships and correspondence with former students and colleagues.

She was a devoted Catholic, with Joseph her partner in faith, and a lifelong member of St. John’s Parish. The couple raised three children in Plattsburgh. The McGraths welcomed countless friends and relatives every summer at “Joie de Vivre,” a camp on Lake Champlain that Marie named in honor of her French Canadian heritage.

She was a superb cook and baker, particularly of classic French recipes such as Bûche de Noël and brioche. She was known for her refined taste and eye for elegant craftsmanship and detail. She was an avid reader, a gardener, a lover of wildflowers, a skilled crewel embroiderer, and a savvy bridge player. She was also a lifetime New York Yankees fan, with particular affection for shortstop Derek Jeter.

Marie and Joe traveled extensively in Europe, Canada and the US, They were married for 59 years. She cared valiantly for Joseph during an illness that ended his life in 2003. She was a dedicated grandmother and great-grandmother, in constant touch with family near and far. Intellectually vibrant and engaged with the world, she seldom missed a Yankees game, an issue of The New York Times, or her daily crossword puzzle.

Marie’s sister, Geraldine Kistner, died in 2014. Marie is survived by her three children: JoAnn Smith and her husband, Raymond; Maureen Faryniarz and her husband, Stanley; and Kevin McGrath and his wife, Kathy. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Jennie, Lizzie, Alexis, Dan, Sta, Anne, Fran, Danny, Tim, and Matt. She lived to know and love 18 great-grandchildren (many of their pictures graced her den wall): Quinn, Tess, Bree, Charlie, Wyatt, Rae Marie, Luke, Alec, Anna, Tim, Lexi, Emma, Andrew, Katie, Robbie, Julia, and Elahna.

The family is especially grateful to Jackie Daniels, Nikki Daniels, and Shirley Provost for providing loving care and companionship to Marie in her final years.

There will be no calling hours. The funeral liturgy will be held at the Newman Center, 90 Broad St., Plattsburgh, on Thursday, January 3 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the Newman Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory would be greatly appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Doctors without Borders, Plattsburgh State College Foundation, or St. John’s Parish (Broad Street Catholics), Plattsburgh.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com