Obituary of Mary F. Finley

GOUVERNEUR – Mary F. (Pridell) Finley, age 91, of Gouverneur, passed away on December 11, 2023 at North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation in Massena, N.Y. Her service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Mary was born on March 22, 1932 in Carthage to the late William and Geraldine (Haywood) Pridell. She graduated from Antwerp High School in 1950 and married Owen X. Finley, Sr. on August 23, 1950. Mr. Finley passed away on October 31, 1984. Mrs. Finley worked for the Gouverneur-Tribune Press for many years; 25 years as a proofreader. She worked as a nanny for several local families, most recently the family of Cyril and Dr. Marlene Mouaikel of Watertown, NY. She was "Grandma Mary" to their children Charlie, Marialena, and Mia. Mary's family was of the utmost importance to her. Supporting and nurturing her family brought her much joy. She loved family gatherings. Mary excelled at cooking and baking; well-known for her donuts and pies. She enjoyed playing Yahtzee and cards, especially Rook, with her husband and their friends; in later years with her daughters and Cindy Lord, who she thought of like a daughter. Watching TV Westerns and soap operas, and listening to classic country music were some of her favorite past-times. Mary is survived by 5 children, Roxann Finley of Gouverneur, Owen X. Finley, Jr. (Karola) of El Paso, TX, Julie Strough of Gouverneur, Barbara Wicks of Gouverneur, and Brenda Kluttz (Danny) of Harrisburg, NC. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Shawn, Stefanie, Shea, Selena, Ryan, Steelson, and Trisha, and great-grandchildren, Zachary, Angel, Colin, Alyssa, Kylie, Ashlyn, Mia, Zoe, Lula, and Afton, and has 2 more on the way. She is predeceased by her husband, Owen Finley, Sr., and siblings, John Pridell, Allen Pridell, and Theresa Phelps. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund, PO Box 64, Gouverneur NY 13642, or the Gouverneur Rescue Squad, PO Box 164, Gouverneur NY 13642.