Mary O'Grady

Mary Jo O’Grady was born May 28, 1929 in Washington, D.C. Mary Jo was the first of her family to be born in the United States. Her parents Thomas J. O’Grady and Margaret B. O’Grady (nee Whelan) emigrated to the United States in 1927 with their two daughters, Martha and Brigid, from Martinstown, County Kildare, Ireland. Mary Jo grew up on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Upon graduation from Notre Dame Academy High School in 1949 Mary Jo completed coursework at Strayer Business College and became a secretary for the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1961 she moved to San Diego, California and worked for the Department of the Navy until retirement. She was an artist that loved being outside and drawing the animals at the San Diego Zoo. Her artwork was so appreciated by the staff that it was put on mugs and stationary and sold at the San Diego Zoo’s gift shop. Mary Jo was preceded by her sister, Brigid Shortino, her nephew, Robert Carriker and niece, Eileen Carriker. She is survived by her sister, Martha Carriker, eight nieces and nephews, nine grand nieces and nephews, and five great-grand nieces and nephews. Mary Jo passed on Jan 19, 2016 in Escondido, California. Her mass and burial will be held at Holy Cross Chapel, 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA, 92102 at 11:00AM with internment following at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations may be made in Mary Jo’s name to Catholic Charities.