Monica Dwyer

Joan "Monica" Dwyer nee Cronin of Dobbs Ferry, New York died peacefully on the evening of March 14, 2012 at the age of 82. Monica's final days were spent in the care and comfort of her cherished friends and loving family. She joins her husband, Mike, deceased 1997, and son, Patrick, deceased 1999, in heaven. Monica was born on November 28th, 1929 in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. She received her education in Killarney and immigrated to the United States at the age of 19. She first settled in Brooklyn, New York before moving to Rego Park in Queens. She started working for Mutual of New York MONY in Manhattan immediately upon coming to the U.S., and continued to work for MONY until her retirement in 1989. On May 22, 1971, Monica married a fellow Kerry native, Mike Dwyer, who was a widower with four children. Mike and Monica purchased a house on Blanchard Avenue in Dobbs Ferry, New York and moved the family into it in June of 1971. They became parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Ardsley, and remained regular churchgoers throughout their lives. Monica was active in many Irish cultural organizations. She joined the American Irish Association of Westchester in the 1970s, where she twice chaired their annual Heritage Days, co-chaired the Journal for the yearly Celtic Ball, was a member of the County Board of Directors, and served as its Vice President and First Vice President. In 1983 she joined the Kitty Geisler Division 11 of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians LAOH. In her time with Division 11, she served as their Treasurer and Vice-President, and served a four-year tenure as President. In addition, she served as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Westchester County Board LAOH where she chaired and presided over numerous dances and the Annual Communion Breakfast, and helped administer the annual New York State funded scholarship program. Included among the honors bestowed on Monica were her appointment and service as the 2001 Grand Marshall of the Annual Sleepy Hollow St. Patrick's Day Parade, and her appointment and service as an aide to the Grand Marshalls of the 1996 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade and the first ever Sleepy Hollow parade. Monica took great pleasure and pride in marching in the Sleepy Hollow, Mount Kisco, Yonkers, and New York City St. Patrick's Day Parades. Monica was a warm, caring, and generous person with a heart that knew no boundaries. She was a loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her wit, wisdom, and unique character will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. She is survived by her children, Marian Dwyer, Bernadette Redd John, and Michael Dwyer Tricia; her five adoring grandchildren, Lucy and Georgia Redd, and Siobhn, Brigid, and Caitln Dwyer; her brothers, Christy Cronin Ita and Cyril Cronin; her sisters, Helen Cronin and Bernadette Kelly Tom; her brothers-in-law, Philip Dwyer and Frank Dwyer Tina; her nieces and nephews in the U.S., Canada and Ireland; and a lifetime of wonderful friends. Mass of the Resurrection Monday March 19, 2012, 10:00 AM, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Ardsley, NY Visiting Sunday 2-4 & 7-9 PM, Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Ave., Dobbs Ferry, NY. Memorials to the St. Joseph's Missionary Society Mill Hill Missionaries, 222 West Hartsdale Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530.