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February 5, 2020
When her son Warren called me early last Friday morning totell me of his dear mom’s passing, I was not surprised.
I had visited Mary Higgins Clark in the hospital in earlyDecember – only to see her at the Catholic Charities luncheon the day after herrelease! – and I had found her fragile on Christmas Eve when I offered Mass forher and her wonderful family at her home in Saddle River. Realistic shealways was, as Warren told me that his mom had mentioned when I left, “I’m gladCardinal Dolan came, because I’m rather sure this will be my last Christmas.”
But, while no surprise, it’s still a jolt. Simply put,it’s hard to think of Mary Higgins Clark gone! She was so vivacious, andshe was everywhere!
I loved her. Early on did I become a big fan of herbooks, and, while Archbishop of Milwaukee, I had invited her to give anaddress, which she brilliantly did.
When I arrived here in New York eleven years ago, ourfriendship deepened. I enjoyed her and John’s hospitality in Spring Lakeand Saddle River, and jammed into their booth often at Jimmy Neary’s. Rarely would she miss an archdiocesan function, or ignore a request fordonations.
Her Catholic faith was deep, sincere, and humble. Shepublicly remarked frequently how her Irish Catholic imagination and art ofstorytelling inspired her writing. References to faith and the Churchwere subtle and natural in her celebrated writings.
Never will I forget her painful attempt to stand-up out ofher wheelchair, when I went over to her to give Holy Communion at Christmas Eveat her home.
So many people have asked me why she not being buried fromSaint Patrick’s, the cathedral she loved and often wrote about, and why I’m nothaving her Mass. That’s no shocker to me at all, as those decisions arequintessential Mary: She, who never forgot her Bronx-neighborhood roots, andthe neighbors and friends with whom she was raised, stipulated years ago herdesire to be buried like any other Catholic, from her home parish of the lastnearly four decades, in New Jersey, at a Mass celebrated by her former parishpriest, now retired bishop of Metuchen, and loyal friend, Bishop PaulBootkoski. Brava!
You’re a class act ‘till the end, dear Mary! Yourlaugh, your wit, your smile, your wisdom, your faith…you!…are eternal!