Mary Cooney Birardi

Mary “Jenny” Cooney Birardi, 84, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge. She was born to the late Roger and Mary Jane Kenny Cooney on September 18, 1940 in Cork City, Ireland, and then spent her teenage years in London, England. It was there she met and then married the love of her life, Joseph “Joe”, a United States Airman, who preceded her in death in 1984. After living for a brief time in Verdun, France, they settled and raised their family in New Jersey.

Jenny arrived in the United States in 1960, fittingly on St. Patrick’s Day. She was a dedicated homemaker for several years before having a successful career in retail sales for over 25 years. In her retirement, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed chatting and playing bingo with her Shoregate friends.

Jenny was the embodiment of strength, courage, and grace. She leaves behind a legacy of love which will continue to be an inspiration to those whose lives she touched.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jenny was preceded in death by her son Daniel; and brother Roger Cooney and sister Bridget Schreiber. She is survived by her three children, daughters and sons-in-law Michele and Joseph Candelora and Nicole and Kevin Brady, son Paul Birardi and his partner; sister Ann Brownrigg and brother Daniel Cooney; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Birardi, Nikolas and Michael Candelora, and Caitlin and Eamon Brady.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. from The Gundrum Service "Home For Funerals", 237 Bordentown Avenue, South Amboy followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Keyport. Visitation will be on Wednesday morning only from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

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