Obituary of Mary A. Cody

Mary A Cody (nee Zahtila) passed away Friday, August 30, in her home, at age 93. Mary confronted many health challenges in her last few years with resolve, grace, and dignity. She is survived by her children Jack (Judith), Mary, Anne Weiss (Carl), James (Suzanne), Paul (Mara), and Irene Rodgers (Joe). Mary’s husband, John, and son, Michael, and his wife, Lois, pre-deceased her. She was also blessed with 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mary was born in New York City, in 1931, to Czech and Austrian parents, the oldest of six children – two sisters (Dorothy and Agnes) and two brothers (John and Joe) survive her. (Sadly, Alice, a beloved sister, pre-deceased Mary by many years.)

After a few years in NYC, Mary and family moved to East Greenwich RI, where she made a lifelong friend, June, whose friendship was cherished to the end. Mary and family returned to Astoria NY just before her senior year of high school. The move was to prove serendipitous: They lived on the first floor of a two-family house; on the second floor lived the Cody brood of 9 children, from which Mary and Alice would later marry brothers John and Tom, respectively.

Mary graduated from Bryant High School then attended St Joseph’s College, after which she worked in the Manhattan office of Phoenix Insurance Co. for several years.

Mary and John married in 1955, living in Long Island City until 1959, when their growing family demanded a larger living space. With 3 kids in tow, they moved to Locust Valley (Long Island), where they had 4 more children, and would remain to the end.

Mary was a full-time homemaker, the family accountant, and disciplinarian, but, above all, completely devoted to her children. Her example of dedication and self-sacrifice could only be aspired to – but never equaled – by her children.

After the youngest child began school full time, Mary worked as a special education aide in the Locust Valley school district for 12 years.

Mary was a voracious reader, a talented gardener, and, of particular note, a highly skilled craftswoman: Over the years she made dozens of quilts, which were gifted to each child and grandchild or donated to various charitable fundraisers.

Grateful acknowledgement to daughters Mary and Irene, with her husband Joe, and son James for their care and support of Mary throughout her final years – the last year was especially difficult and demanding.

A private service will be held on Friday, September 6.