First Selectman Camillo Proclaims June 30 As Mary Lavelle Day

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo proclaimed June 30 as Mary Lavelle Day in the Town of Greenwich to celebrate her life and her 100th birthday.

Mary Finnerty Lavelle was born June 30, 1921, in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland as the second youngest child of three sisters and four brothers.

According to Camillo's proclamation, during the war years, Mary spent time shuttling between Ireland and England, and she began her married life in London to John Lavelle. They established themselves in London where Mary’s mother, brothers and sisters relocated after the war. In 1957, Mary joined her husband in New York where he had emigrated in 1955. They lived first in Astoria, then Bayside, and finally in East Hampton, New York.

Mary extended her time and talent in support of the activities of the Sacred Heart Church and school in Bayside, as well as the needs of her family. Mary and John travelled back to Ireland, and to England and later to France where they celebrated their extended family members.

In 1993 Mary and John moved to Winter Park, Fla. where they enjoyed retirement. Mary was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Church of Winter Park, and enjoyed their faith community.

"Mary moved to the Mews in Greenwich in 2018 where she displays a keen interest in all her many new friends, maintains the love of former neighbors and extended family, and attracts the appreciation of all who know her," Camillo said in a proclamation, noting that Mary has five children, 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

"[I] urge all residents to join me in wishing Mary Lavelle a very happy 100th birthday! Congratulations and best wishes!"