Margaret M. Finlay

Margaret M Finlay (nee Begley), 88, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26. She died peacefully and gracefully after suffering complications from a minor fall. Family surrounded her at the hour of her death.
Margie is survived by her four sons: Thomas, Donald (Michelle), Gregg (Frances) and Brian (Peggy); favorite son-in-law John Celentano; grandchildren Dylan (Danielle), Kyle (Alison), Nora and Brian; great-grandchildren Faye, Emma, and Olivia; sisters Eileen McCool, Anne White and Marie O’Brien; sister-in-laws Marie Kennedy, Patricia Gazlay and Eileen Bathany; brother-in-laws Todd White, Bill O’Brien, Tom Monte and Steve Bathany; 26 nieces and nephews and their spouses and numerous cousins.
Margie is preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Emmitt Finlay; her only daughter Margaret E. Celentano; her parents Margaret (Clark) and Thomas Begley; sisters Maureen Monaghan and Patricia Monte; and brother-in-laws James McCool, Frank Monaghan, Frank Gazlay and Jay Kennedy.
Margie was born on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in 1931 and grew up in Sunny Side, Queens. She graduated Blessed Sacrament High School and then took advanced Nursing classes, eventually working in medical research.
She was the eldest of six girls: Eileen, Anne, Maureen, Marie and Patricia. Their father Thomas passed away at the age 37. leaving his beloved wife to raise the six girls. Their cousin Margaret McBride came to live with them and quickly became another “sister” to the girls. The girls all learned a work ethic, sense of family and compassion that would remain with them through their lives.
Margie and Donald were married in 1957. They originally settled in Queens Village, NY and then Manhasset in 1966. She was blessed with five children: Thomas, Donald Gregg, Margaret and Brian. Margie worked tirelessly raising the five children, while Donald built a career at IBM. In 1980, Donald unexpectedly passed of a heart attack leaving Margie widowed with five children. Margie remained steadfast raising their children and instilling the work ethic and sense of family she grew up with.
She was blessed with four grandchildren, Dylan, Kyle, Nora and Brian who were her shining light. The grandchildren were a renewed vigor in Margie’s life and Gram excitedly pitched in to help feed, bathe, teach and most importantly, love them
Margie served as President of the Flower Hills Women’s Club from 1977 -79 after serving in various officer roles and continued her participation in the club for many years. She was an avid reader and enjoyed mystery and detective books. It was not uncommon for Margaret to read two paperbacks in a week, in addition to the newspaper each day from cover to cover. Margaret was proud of her Scotch/Irish roots and was a devout Catholic.
The family deeply thanks Dr. David Breidbart, Dr. Joel Goldberg and their staff for their caring help and thoughtfulness throughout the years. We also thank Adriana Breen, ANP-BC,GNP, a terrific friend whose guidance and compassion was miraculous. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Cenacle Sisters of Ronkonkoma, www.cenaclesisters.org/ronkonkoma/Donate/, or The Lead The Way Fund, www.leadthewayfund.org.