Obituary of Elizabeth D. McDonough

Elizabeth Driscoll McDonough, 83, of Edison, died Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at JFK Medical Center, in Edison. Mrs. McDonough lived in Plainfield for 50 years before moving to Edison in 2000 and was an active and vibrant member of the community. For 25 years she owned and operated The Wardrobe, an elegant women's better dresswear store in Plainfield. She previously worked as a social worker and as a third grade teacher in Scotch Plains, NJ. She was president of the Laurel League, a Catholic women's community organization that raises money for charities in the greater Plainfield area, was a member of the board of governors of Muhlenberg Hospital and served as first vice president of the hospital's womens' auxiliary. She was active in a multitude of other community and volunteer organizations throughout Union County. Mrs. McDonough was the wife of former NJ State Senator Peter J. McDonough and was active in political activities since moving to Plainfield, NJ from Clifton Springs, NY after graduating from Brockport State Teachers College of New York in 1950. She was an avid golfer at the Plainfield Country Club and was the ladies golf champion at the Raritan Valley Country Club in the early 1960s. Mrs. McDonough was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Peter J. McDonough, of Plainfield, and her daughter Mamie McDonough, of New York City. She is survived by her brother, Jeremiah Driscoll, of Clifton Springs, NY, her children, Peter J. McDonough Jr., of Pennington, and Martha M. Kirby, of Towson, Md., and their spouses, Molly Sword McDonough and John Patrick Kirby. She had four grandchildren, Sarah and Tom McDonough, of Pennington, NJ, and Elizabeth and Margaret Kirby, of Towson, Md., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Resurrection at St. Mary's Stony Hill Church, Watchung. Visitation will be on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ 08820.