Mary M. (McRae) McCaskey

Mary M. McCaskey (nee McRae), 92, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2022 with family by her side.

Mary, daughter of Randolph James McRae and Susan Kinney McRae, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 15, 1929 and spent most of her young life in Jackson Heights, New York. From a young age, Mary was an avid reader and had a passion for learning. A trailblazer in education for her generation, she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens College, CUNY and a Master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. She always enjoyed working, both professionally and giving back to her community. While living in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania as a young adult, she was the proud co-founder of the Bridgeville Public Library. In 1964, Mary moved to Fairfield, Connecticut where she raised her young family and became an active member of the community that she made her forever home. She was co-chair of the Committee to ‘Save Our Shoreline’, which influenced the town to purchase the Sun Haven property, now called Penfield Pavilion. She retired from Pitney Bowes as the Manager of Community Affairs and Corporate Contributions and afterwards, worked at the Fairfield Women’s Exchange for 18 years. Mary exuded unmatched strength, independence, and work ethic.

Mary’s love for learning never dwindled. She took classes at Fairfield University and the Senior Center, regularly visited and participated in events at the Fairfield Public Library, and never missed a daily crossword puzzle. Mary cherished her book club with friends, who not only shared her love for reading, but also enjoyed exchanging personal stories and world views over lunch. Mary loved to experience new places and had the opportunity to travel extensively as a member of the Audubon Society.  

Above all, Mary’s greatest accomplishment of her life was her family. Referred to lovingly as “Gigi” by her grandchildren, she never failed to miss a birthday, graduation, wedding, or holiday celebration. Her grandchildren are lucky to have grown up with Gigi, remembering her willingness to play any board game or game of make-believe as children and later in life admiring her powerful combination of strength, intellect, and grace. Mary also loved and treated her dear friends and neighbors as though they were family. Mary was loved by everyone she met.      

She will be dearly missed by her children Douglas McCaskey, Sandra Webb, David McCaskey and his spouse Laurie McCaskey; her daughter-in-law Beth McCaskey; her grandchildren Isabelle McCaskey and her fiancé Mark Monteiro, Mary Grace McCaskey, Wesley Webb and his spouse Mary Webb, Abigail Webb Pederson and her spouse Derek Pederson, Sarah McCaskey, and Morgan McCaskey; and finally, great–granddaughter, Lucia Webb.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations are appreciated by the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held Friday, February 4, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. 

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