Dr. Mary Eileen McDonough, an educator who taught, advised and mentored many college students since 1970 and President of the GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club, passed away peacefully at her home in Miami Springs on August 27. She was 82.
Dr. McDonough's life-long passion for higher education centered around her various teaching and administrative positions. Recognized with several outstanding teaching awards, including the Barry University Visionary Award of Excellence, she began her career in 1970 as a chemistry professor at Barry University in Miami Shores. Dr. McDonough served in various capacities throughout her illustrious career, including as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Since 1983, she served as the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative and chaired the Degree Completion Committee, awarding scholarships to student-athletes so they could complete their degrees.
Mary Eileen Daly was born on March 24, 1942, in Mount Airy, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Leo Michael Daly, was a CPA who worked at the accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand (which merged with Price Waterhouse in 1998). He later opened his private accounting practice. Her mother, Dorothy Cecilia Mellon Daly, was a bookkeeper for a jewelry store owned by legendary jeweler Leo J. Dolan.
After graduating from Cecilian Academy, Dr. McDonough earned a BS in Chemistry from Chestnut Hill College, a MS in Chemistry from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a Masters in Business Administration from Barry University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University.
She met her future husband, Michael J. McDonough III, through a mutual friend in Philadelphia on a blind date at a karaoke bar that Mr. McDonough frequented. After he accepted a teaching position at Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, they managed to maintain a long-distance relationship. McDonough eventually returned to Philadelphia, married Eileen in 1970, and moved to Miami Springs. He surprised her by buying their first house on South Drive.
Dr. McDonough's husband died in 2003. Known as "Coach Mac," he taught social studies and was the basketball coach at Miami Springs Senior High School. He was known for his sense of humor and adoration of his wife and three children.
Her youngest son, Matthew F. McDonough, a Chicago Police Detective, passed away in 2022 at 45 years of age.
She is survived by a son, Kevin; daughter, Julie (Tom) McDonough Lanza; daughter-in-law Jocelyn McDonough; and five grandchildren: Justin, Dylan, Ryan, Roxanne, and Maddie.
Community service, traveling, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends, and creating stained-glass artwork with her close friend Laura Armesto were many ways she spent her time.
Dr. McDonough served on a variety of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) committees, including the Executive Committee and Legislative Review Committee, participating in decisions on deregulation, amateurism, student transcripts and eligibility, academic standards, and international student enrollment.
"I loved working with the athletes, watching them compete, explaining the rules to them, watching their grades, and wanted each of them to graduate so they could move on to successful careers," she said at the 2023 Barry University Wall of Honor ceremony celebrating her 52 years at the university, where she advised an estimated 4,000 student-athletes as Faculty Athletic Representative for 40 of those years. "I worried when they got hurt, and I really felt like each athlete I dealt with was mine personally."
As a long-time Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish member, Dr. McDonough participated in many church activities. She started a grief-sharing group after her husband passed away, contributed to the Ladies Guild, and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC), a role in the Catholic Church where lay members help distribute Holy Communion. She also served on the School Board of Christopher Columbus High School.
"She was a dear friend of mine and well-loved," said Julie Kelly, Co-chair of the Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee of the woman's club and friend of Dr. McDonough since 1977. "We raised our children together in Boy Scouts and at Blessed Trinity Catholic School. "
Dr. McDonough advocated for scholarship initiatives as a member of the GFWC Woman's Club of Miami Springs (MSWC). As President, she continued that initiative by adding a Vocational Scholarship to the club's scholarship roster and worked tirelessly to renovate the club's historic clubhouse with impact windows and doors. The club raised an impressive amount of money for scholarships and childhood cancer through fundraising events like "Jail & Bail," where she enjoyed serving as "Judge McDonough," dressed in one of her academic robes.
Dr. McDonough ended her MSWC President's 2024 Report with this quote, "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass … it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
Services were held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish on September 10, followed by a Celebration of Life at the MS Woman's Club. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her name be made to Blessed Trinity or to the GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club Scholarship Fund. Information can be found on MSWomansClub.com.
This article was originally published in the September 26, 2024 edition of the River Cities Gazette by Gazette Writer & GFWC Miami Springs Woman's Club Historian Fabian Perez-Crespo.
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