Obituary of Ann Marie Patricia Mahon

A vibrant, independent spirit left earth on July 4th, 2009 rendering the hearts of all who loved her, and tearing a hole in the delicate fabric of life. Ann Marie Mahon fought a desperate battle against Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She was 58 years and 2 days from heaven, and born in Bayonne, New Jersey on June 28, 1951 to Ann McNulty Mahon and Thomas Mahon. After graduating from Bishop Scully High School in Amsterdam, and FMCC, Ann Marie worked for Planned Parenthood until 1974. She then moved to California and worked in the restaurant business, however fell into alcoholism. She joined AA, lived sober for 20 years and became a tireless advocate for sobriety making many life-long, caring friends. Ann Marie last worked for Catholic Charities in Schenectady serving the elderly to ensure they received all benefits they were entitled to. She joins her youngest sister Patricia Ann who predeceases her, her mother, Ann, her namesake and for whom she cared for with exceptional love and devotion at the end of her long, productive and caring life, her grand parents Bridget & Patrick McNulty and Theresa & William Mahon. She is already missed by everyone she touched and moved with her powerful, searing honesty and outrageous will to live and serve. She could no more hide that big-hearted spirit than God can the sun on any given day. Everyone knew when Ann Marie was around. There was nothing dainty about her. Everything she did or said was big and bold and brassy, great and generous, and always unconventional. She graduated Laney College in Oakland California with Associates Degree is Sociology and Art Therapy, then San Francisco State with a BA in Creative Arts with a minor in Photography. She created and operated Ann Marie's Flower Shops from Concord, California serving San Francisco's finer hotels, funeral parlors and the BART system. She was passionate for others to create interesting projects as she did in Business, Healing Arts, Photography, Travel and Gardening. Ann is survived by her sisters, Terry Hank Vacek, Bonnie Ken Van Wie, and brothers Tom and John Ann Mahon and many loving nieces and nephews. Her siblings Bonnie, Tom and Terry extend their deepest appreciation and highest praise to the Nursing Staff of Ellis Hospital for their incredible care and undivided devotion they gave our dear sister while fighting valiantly for her life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 12 o'clock at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Glebe Street, Johnstown with Fr. Kenneth Swain as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 4 until 8 at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville, where her arrangements have been entrusted. She lived a full life dear friends, so when you hear an Irish tune, think of Ann Marie and her indomitable spirit; do a jig as she would, whether you know the steps or not. Learn as you go! Love what you find. She did.