Mary Patricia (McInerney) Glackin

Mary Patricia Glackin (née McInerney), 88, of Kearny, NJ, passed away peacefully and entered into eternal rest on March 4, 2025. Born on May 16, 1936, in Jersey City, NJ, she was the cherished wife of the late Philip J. Glackin, to whom she was married for nearly 48 years until his passing in 2010.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Sunday, March 9 from 2 to 6 p.m. The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Monday morning, March 10 at 8:45 a.m. then to St. Stephen’s R.C. Church, Kearny where a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

Mary Pat, as she was lovingly known, was a dedicated Kearny resident for 60 years, during which she raised her eight children: Kathleen Peters, Elaine Meehan (Bill), Mary Patricia (Abel), Florence Hynekamp (Harry), Sheila Armenti (Jerry), Philip (Ann), Rosanne, and Michael (Ursula).

The eldest child of Francis M. McInerney, Sr. and Florence McInerney (née Houlihan), Mary Pat was predeceased by her sister Deidre Squire and brother Francis M. McInerney, Jr. She attended Our Lady of Victories grammar school and the Academy of St. Aloysius high school. Mary Pat furthered her education at Jersey City State College (NJ State Teacher’s College), earning her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  She was an accomplished athlete in her youth, actively participating in basketball and fencing in her high school and college years.

After receiving her teaching certification in 1957, Mary Pat began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Jersey City public schools where she worked for over four years.  She continued to pursue her Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision in the field of education at Seton Hall University while teaching, earning her degree in 1961.  It was during this time that she met Philip at a social club in Jersey City. Their love blossomed despite the distance caused by Philip's army being stationed in Pasadena, CA. They remained close, with Mary Pat and her friends making a memorable train journey across the country to visit their “army friends” during a summer break.

Married on July 7, 1962, Mary Pat and Phil moved their growing family to Kearny in 1965, where they laid down roots. Mary Pat dedicated 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, nurturing her children and instilling strong Catholic values. In 1979, she resumed her teaching career, first as a substitute and later as a full-time basic skills teacher in Kearny public schools. After two decades of service, Mary Pat retired in 1999.

In retirement, Mary Pat and Phil were active parishioners of St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny and enjoyed extensive travel adventures, both domestically and internationally, often accompanied by family and friends. They cherished their time with their grandchildren and were always eager to babysit.

Mary Pat found immense joy in family gatherings, from intimate “Giants Sundays” with Deidre’s family to festive Christmas rotations in Bergenfield, Long Island, and Kearny. Vacations at the Jersey shore and the Pocono mountains, along with countless other events, added to the treasured memories.

Mary Pat never missed the annual Glackin gala, celebrating Phil's Donegal heritage, except for the first picnic in June 1973, when her youngest child Michael was born. She valued the enduring friendships she formed over the years, particularly with the "Jersey City girls," who continued their reunions later in life, the Bayonne card gang, and her friends from St. Stephen’s parish.

In addition to her 8 children, Mary Pat is survived by her sister-in-law Maryann McInerney (brother Frank), 16 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 7 nieces and nephews, 9 grandnieces and grandnephews, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Alan Squire (sister Deidre), brother-in-law John Glackin, and his wife Mary (Earl).

Mary Patricia Glackin will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her unwavering faith, and the kindness she brought to everyone she met. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Stephen’s Church in Mary Pat’s memory.

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