Mary Margaret McMahon

Mary Margaret (née Canty) McMahon, 93, of La Plata, Maryland died at her home on November 5, 2024. She was born in Midland, Maryland, in 1931 to Owen Francis and Margaret (Creamer) Canty. After moving to southeast Washington, D.C., at the age of four, she attended grade school at St. Peter’s Catholic and high school at St. Cecilia's Academy. While there she was captain of the basketball team, Student Council President, and May Queen for the May Procession. The impact of her time at St. Cecilia's was pivotal to her life as she remained lifelong friends with her schoolmates and was an active member of the St. Cecilia’s Alumni Association, always attending their annual Mass and luncheons. Mary Margaret is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Patrick McMahon. They met as teenagers while living in the same Capitol Hill neighborhood, and were blessed with a deep and enduring love. They raised six daughters. She is also preceded by parents Owen Francis and Margaret (Creamer) Canty, brother Owen, and sisters Rose Marie Canty CSC, Kathleen M. Harden (Joseph Harden), and Frieda M. Southern (Dennis Southern). Mary Margaret had many fond memories of growing up both in Midland and on Capitol Hill. The Canty home always had room for relatives needing to live in D.C. and Creamer and Canty cousins visited often. Love, laughter, and Irish tunes were the rule. Later in life, Mary Margaret realized her dream of visiting Ireland and enjoyed gazing out on Galway Bay. Mary Margaret is survived by six daughters, Mary Jo Thompson (George C. Thompson, deceased), Teresa Chaconas (Ted Chaconas), Rose Marie Codling (Arthur P. Codling), Patricia Southcomb (Robert A. Southcomb, deceased), Anne Flamm (John Flamm) and Catherine McMahon. There were several “7th daughters” and special “sons” in her life due to her being a second Mom to many with her open door and generous heart. She loved each of them as her own. In addition, Mary Margaret is survived by 10 adoring grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, special cousins, many devoted nieces, nephews, Godchildren, neighbors and friends. Mary Margaret was employed by the Bureau of Customs in the 1950s, but left that job to be a stay-at-home Mom for about 15 years, raising six daughters with their father, Joe. Her outside employment continued in the 1970’s and she retired from the United States Census Bureau in 1999 where she received many commendations for excellence. A lifelong Catholic and faith-filled woman, Mary Margaret was a joyful volunteer with numerous organizations including Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillcrest Heights and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Plata. Mary Margaret served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of Our Lady’s Sodality and the Parish Council. She was also active on the repast committee and was a welcome visitor to the homebound and residents of the Senior Center of Charles County, for whom she brought Communion. Beyond her church involvement, Mary was a member of the Board of the Charleston Terrace Homeowners’ Association and she relished her work as a volunteer respite worker for Hospice of Charles County. Mary Margaret’s interests centered around her large and growing family. Gatherings to celebrate baptisms, weddings, school functions, sporting events, concerts, and school plays dominated her life. She had a beautiful smile and everyone loved to see Gramma at her home or at their function. She was so proud of her family and spoke frequently about them, all the while trying to be humble. She enjoyed hearing all the details of family members living far and wide. The family enjoyed gathering in Ocean Pines every spring for an annual trip which included visits to the Ocean City Boardwalk, favorite restaurants, kite festivals, tea at the Dunes Manor Hotel and lots of laughs. It was always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate her May 1st birthday. Mary Margaret was a kind person with a smile that lit up the room. She made friends easily because she was non-judgemental and happy to meet and accept people for who they were. She was always willing to help out. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Health Partners, Inc., 3070 Crain Highway, Suite 101, Waldorf, MD 20601. This local non-profit which provides dental and medical services to area residents was founded in 1992 by Sister Michaleen Frieders, CSC and Sister Gladys Marie Martin, CSC, both members of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Mary Margaret’s deep affection and respect for the Holy Cross sisters began as a child when her teachers were members of the Holy Cross order and her older sister Rose Marie became a Holy Cross sister. Supporting an organization originally founded by two Holy Cross sisters is a fitting legacy to Mary Margaret’s good deeds. Services will be held as follows: A Gathering of Friends and Family will be held on Sunday, November 17th, 2024 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (prayers at 3:00 pm) at Raymond Funeral Service, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 18th, 2024 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata, MD. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road in Clinton, MD.

Mary Margaret McMahon

May 1, 1931 - November 5, 2024