Obituary of Mary E. Irving

Dedicated Mother & Wife - Mary Elizabeth Irving, 90, died peacefully at home Sunday (July 2, 2006). Her longevity is attributed to her love of life, her positive attitude, her resilient spirit and her fierce pride at being a loving wife and mother. Mary was born Dec. 27, 1915, in Scranton, PA, the only daughter of James P. Hughes and the former Elizabeth Brotzman. At the age of 5, Marys mother passed away suddenly, an experience that would influence the young child for the rest of her life. Marys father remarried, but there seemed to be no room in the heart of her new stepmother for a child of another woman. Mary spent several years being raised by nuns in a Catholic convent and eventually lived her teenage years with several of her many aunts. In 1938, she moved to Plainfield, where she would be a resident for 46 years, before moving to Rossmoor in Monroe Township. It was in Plainfield where Mary met Jarvis W. Irving, an eager young man determined to make a good life for himself and his future family. Mary and Jarvis were married in March 1939, and Jarvis set off to learn a trade, soon becoming a qualified steamfitter. In 1945, Jarvis W. Irving Jr. was born and would be the only child of the couple. Their life together was to be very much influenced by the experience of their early years. Jarvis had a vivid memory of standing in bread lines during the Depression, and Mary remembered having to leave her home at age 5 with great clarity. It is this combination of experiences that influenced Mary to commit to being a dedicated, loving wife and mother, a role at which she excelled. In addition to her own family, Mary formed strong, lasting relationships with two young families who were neighbors. For more than 30 years, Grandma Mary has been an integral part of the lives of the Kasas family, who currently resides in Ohio. In addition, Mary has enjoyed the same relationship for 26 years with the Ferreira family of Martinsville. The two couples and their five children and one grandchild were always regarded as family to Mary, and the love that she felt for them has been selflessly returned to her for these many years. The life of Mary E. Irving has been one of loving commitment to her husband, Jarvis, who passed away in 1979; her son, Jarvis W. Irving Jr., and his future wife, Jun Takama, who reside in New York City; and the Kasas and Ferreira families. Marys accomplishment in life is to have had an abundance of love for all these people, and the many other lives whose paths she crossed. She will be missed by us all.