Maria G Feeley

Maria was the first born of nine children born in the United States to her Italian parents and grew up in Bronx, New York as part of a close knit, loving family in the 1930's. She graduated from Washington Irving High School and studied fashion design. In January 1944, Maria enlisted in the WAVES (U.S. NAVY) and was stationed in Lakehurst, NJ. It was there that she met her husband Edwin Feeley, a Naval Chief Petty Officer. They were married in April 1946 at the Cathedral of the Air.

While stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she completed college English classes then became a Kindergarten teacher, teaching at the base school. In November 1952 their son David was born. After Cuba they were stationed in San Diego, CA briefly until Eddie's retirement in 1956 in which they then moved to South Haven Michigan to work on Eddie's uncle's Blueberry Farm. Maria did not enjoy living in MI, and the family returned to San Diego in the 1960's where David started 1st grade.

During the 60's Maria worked at Walker Scott department store in the drapery section. She loved sewing, making clothes for herself, and shirts for her husband and son. She also worked at Stretch and Sew, and at the local Boy Scouts of America office.

Maria and Edwin celebrated 25 years of marriage in April 1971. Sadly her husband passed away in October that same year. Maria then became a San Diego County employee working as a Clerk until her retirement. She attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church and was an active member of the Altar Society. She served several terms as President of the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Military Widows working on behalf of the "Forgotten Widows" to secure benefits for military widows, including writing monthly newsletters.

She was an amazing grandmother to her granddaughters Amber and Crystal, who often stayed at her house over the weekends. She enjoyed being a very active grandmother, baking cupcakes with them, cook omelettes, and teaching them to sew buttons. She often made them matching nightgowns and slippers. Many years later she became great-grandmother to Jason, Bryana, and Kyleigh, then to Mark and Matthew through Amber's marriage. In her later years she enjoyed going to watch Kyleigh act in plays and swim. Her family celebrated her birthdays with her at Bucca Di Beppo's where she sat at the head of the table in the Pope Room and at the Olive Garden. She loved to garden in her rose garden, to listen to Doris Day, and sing her favorite song "Que Sera Sera".

Maria is very loved by her family and will be deeply missed.