John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Mary Catherine Essig of Levittown, NY, peacefully passed away on April 27, 2020. She lived a joy filled life centered on her family, her faith and helping those around her. Mary was born on January 9, 1931 in Kearney, NJ to Edward and Ann Shevlin. Mary grew up in the Bronx, NY with six siblings and attended Saints Peter and Paul School and Cathedral HS. On November 20, 1954, she married Arthur Francis Essig at Saints Peter and Paul RC Church. They moved to Levittown, NY in 1960. Mary earned an associate’s degree from Nassau Community College and worked at Rosemary Kennedy School as a special education teaching assistant. She was an active member of St Bernard’s RC Church as an extraordinary minister, religious educator for special needs children and church greeter. As an Extraordinary Minister Mary delivered communion to the home bound. She also was active with CFFR, Catholics for Freedom of Religion, for the last 5 years. She volunteered at A. Holly Patterson Care Facility for more than 20 years. Mary loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends. She enjoyed reading, movies and dancing. After retirement she took up Irish step dancing and activity that she continued until her late 80’s.

Mary is loved and missed by many. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, two brothers (Charlie and Tommy), three children (Arthur, Mary and Jamie), mother-in-law Lillian Essig, father-in-law Arthur A. Essig, brother-in-law Ronald Essig and sister-in-law Rosemary Essig. She is survived by her dear husband, Arthur F. Essig; her siblings Edward Shevlin, Sheila McHale and Gavin Shevlin, and brother-in-law James McHale; her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Michael & Kathy Essig (children: Michael Thomas & Megan [children: Ezra Michael], Samantha and Nikki & Andre Hiden [children: Emersyn and Kaison]; John & Carolann Essig (children: John Paul, Scott, Amanda and Cara); Alison Essig-Peppard & Tom Peppard (children: Brian & Bonnie, Alec and Emily & Gavin Meredith); Ann Essig; Ellen Essig. Mary will be interred at Calverton Cemetery on May 4, 2020. A brief ceremony will be held April 30 for only a few family members. There will be no formal funeral ceremony held at this time. At a later date, there will be a memorial service held to remember Mary’s life.