Obituary for Mary Frances “Sissy” Healey HEALEY (nee King), Mary Frances “Sissy” – 89, a lifelong summer resident of Cape May, NJ and resident of North Palm Beach, FL entered eternal life on November 12, 2018 after a short illness. A devout Catholic, Sissy grew up in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes grade school, which established her devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Sissy graduated from West Catholic High School and worked at the Free Library of Philadelphia on Vine Street in Center City. She met the love of her life William “Bill” Healey in 1955 on Windsor Beach in Cape May. He asked her on their first date to marry him, her response – “Wait a year and ask again”.
He did just that and they were married September 29, 1956. They had three children – Mary “Missy”, Patrick “Pat”, and Katherine “Kathy”. They danced through 62 years of marriage, enjoying the beach, boating, dinners at the Corinthian Yacht Club and their trips on the water throughout the world.
In her 89 years, she never missed a summer in Cape May. Seven generations of King’s/Kelly’s have enjoyed New Jersey’s oldest beach town. Friends and family called her the “Queen by the Sea” or just “The Queen” for short.
Sissy was known amongst the locals by her beautiful garden, even winning Garden of the Month in 2005. She attended Mass faithfully at Our Lady Star of the Sea. She could be spotted on Grant Street beach floating on her back in the ocean with her bright floral bathing cap.
After a day at the beach Sissy would hop on her signature Sting Ray Banana Seat bike (her favorite mode of transportation) for a cruise around Cape May capped off with catching the sunset at the Cove. She was a lady with a definite charm, humor and individuality. She lived life on her own terms and will forever be remembered for her youthfulness, sparkling blue eyes and vibrant smile, which lit up any room she entered.
Her quick wit kept her grandchildren on their toes and always laughing. Sissy will be forever loved and dearly missed by her husband Bill; son, Patrick (and Leanne) Healey; daughter, Kathy Healey; grandchildren, Erin, Sean, Justin, Allie, Kaitlyn, and A.J. Her daughter Mary “Missy” Healey, RDN, preceded Sissy in eternal life. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sissy on Tuesday (Nov.
20th) at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St., Cape May. Visitation will begin at 12:15 pm; Mass to follow at 1:30 pm. Interment will be private for the family and will follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to AIM Academy, Conshohocken, PA “Bright children who learn differently can learn fearlessly,” www. aimpa.org/donate/maryhealey in Sissy’s remembrance. For memorial gifts to the Nature Center of Cape May donations can be mailed to Nature Center, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 or on-line at www.
njaudubon.org . Click DONATE NOW and select “Nature Center of Cape May” and add Sissy Healey” in the comments section. Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 20.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM Our Lady Star of the Sea Church 525 Washington Street Cape May, NJ, US Service , NOV 20.
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