Obituary of Mary Garvan

Longtime resident of Gwynedd Valley, most recently of the Blue Bell Woods, Mary Jane Nicodemus Garvan died on Sunday, July 1st. Born in 1917 and raised on Long Island and in New York, Jane had many passions: flying small planes, sports, books, animals, poetry, and nature.

Jane, know to most as Janie, was graduated by St. Timothys School, in Maryland, and Albertus Magnus College. She never ceased her studies, including work at the Yale Music School and Columbia University. At the age of 49 she, her family, and friends celebrated her graduation as an RN from Gwynedd Mercy College. She worked as a psychiatric nurse at Eugenia Hosptial and at Norristown State Hospital. Co-workers often commented on her extraordinary dedication to and compassion for her patients.

Jane married Anthony Garvan in 1940. They had eight children: Mary Jane (deceased), Kathleen Ann, Virginia Brady, Frances Courtney (deceased), Anthony Nicholas Brady, Nichola, Christina, and Blake. The marriage ended in divorce. Survived by sisters Fairlie Nicodemus and Anne Carpenter, eleven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Nicodemus.

Janie lived a life of giving. She loved walking, music, riding, the beach The New York Times, Long Island, sun and children.