Mary M. Paratore

COLONIE, NY – Mary McGahay Paratore, 62, passed away peacefully at her home after a brief illness on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Born in Albany on August 11, 1961 to Sylvia Keegan McGahay and the late William H. McGahay Jr., Mary was the wife of 39 years to her adoring husband, childhood sweetheart and boy next door, Dominic J. Paratore of Colonie. A graduate of Albany Business College and SUNY Empire State College, Mary attended West Albany Elementary School and graduated from Mercy High School in 1979. A financial tax specialist for 25 years, Mary spent the past 18 years as the Vice President of Internal Audit and Compliance for Capital District Regional Off Track Betting Corporation. Mary was the proud and loving mother of daughters, Jacquelyn (Paratore) Donovan and husband William Donovan of Colonie and Christina (Paratore) Kelly and husband Daniel Kelly, also of Colonie. Known as “Mimi”, Mary is especially remembered for her love of her grandsons, Billy and Grant Donovan. Mary is survived by her sister Sheilah (McGahay) Rivers and husband Will Rivers of Colonie, brother William H. McGahay III and wife Allison (Carr) McGahay of Lake Placid, along with a host of cherished brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles and cousins. Additionally, Mary was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Mary was raised and lived her entire life in West Albany, close to family and many friends but mostly enjoyed the mountains and lakes of the Adirondacks and annual trips to Florida. Mary especially cherished time spent at the family cabin on the Au Sable River underneath the peaks of Whiteface and Esther Mountain. One of her favorite things to do was to sit on her dock with family and watch nature and people on the river. Some of her most cherished moments were spent in front of a roaring fire. All who knew Mary knew of her love of horse racing and Saratoga. She enjoyed handicapping racehorses, a skill she learned from her late father. Mary made it a mandatory appointment for all to spend her birthdays, known as “Marypalooza” at the Saratoga race track each year in August. Mary was universally loved and respected by all her friends and those who knew and worked with her. Her friends were just like her family and all were welcome at every family gathering, holiday, Friday pizza night and sunny afternoon by her pool. Mary’s kind and gentle nature will be greatly missed but beautiful memories will live on in all who knew and loved her. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mary’s family Friday, March 22, 2024 at 9:30 am to 11:30 am at St. Pius X Chapel, Crumitie Road, Loudonville, NY. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 am at St. Pius X Church. The Rite of Committal will be held immediately following the Mass at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. NY. An avid animal lover, Mary loved Golden Retrievers and had several over her lifetime. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mary Paratore to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Mary M. Paratore

August 11, 1961 - March 16, 2024