Mary Jean Mahoney, age 91 of Southbury, CT, passed away with family by her side on May 12, 2021. Jean was born June 18 1929 in Danbury, CT, the daughter of former Danbury Police Chief, J. Howard McGoldrick and Esther McGoldrick. Jean graduated from Danbury High School, Saint Joseph’s College earning her BSN, in West Hartford, CT, and Columbia University Teachers College, where she earned her MA in Public Health Administration.
Following her undergraduate nursing degree in 1951, Jean went on to teach nursing at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT, later returning home to continue teaching at Danbury Hospital before starting employment as supervisor of the Danbury VNA. Jean was proud to serve her beloved greater Danbury community as a Nursing and Public Healthcare advocate throughout her life, retiring at age 75. Jean was recognized as an innovative leader in the home healthcare field serving as Executive Director of the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association for over 32 years. Jean was devoted beyond measure to the improvement of public healthcare in Danbury while simultaneously serving in various community roles to provide the best possible healthcare for the community.
In amongst her many accomplishments, Jean helped develop the Women, Infant & Children outreach program, statewide tuberculosis clinic(s), geriatric clinic(s) and endless programs to serve the homebound, including Wellness on Wheels, a pediatric mobile outreach van, assisting families with special needs. When called upon, Jean served in multiple functions as Interim Public Health Director for the City of Danbury as well as Regional Hospice. Jean was named to various State Healthcare Commission committees as appointed by former State Governor(s) Ella Grasso and Thomas Meskill. Upon retirement from the VNA, Jean worked as a Special Projects Coordinator for Western CT Health Network writing government grants and working on special projects designed to assist with the continued integration of home healthcare into the Danbury Hospital system. For many years, Jean served as a Board of Trustee for Danbury Hospital and Southbury Training School, where she continued to serve.
Jean was predeceased by parents Esther & Howard, brother Robert McGoldrick and daughter Noreen Mahoney. Survivors include children, John Mahoney (wife Betty, Brian Mahoney of Essex, CT, Peter Mahoney (wife Liz) of Redding, CT, and daughter Mary Jones of Greenwich, CT, grandchildren include; Jack, Kelly, Caroline, Will and Charlie. Jean is also survived by her beloved and devoted sister-in-law Jody McGoldrick, nieces and nephews Michael, Mark, Maureen, Kelly, Patrick and Christopher.
Jean valued spending quality time with her family, visits to Nantucket and was devoted to her grandchildren. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed gardening and the daily challenge of the NY Times crossword puzzle. Jean also enjoyed devoting her time as a member of the Southbury Garden Club and as a parishioner of St. Theresa Avila Church in Woodbury, CT.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, June 4 at Prince of Peace, St. Theresa Avila Church, Woodbury, CT. A private family burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury, CT. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Jean’s memory may be made to Danbury Hospital Development Fund or Danbury Regional Hospice.
