Mary Lee Waldron died peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey on October 21 at the age of 93. She was born on November 20, 1931 in Taunton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Russell and May O'Hearne Jones.

She attended the College of New Rochelle, where she met Thomas Farrell Waldron of Fordham University. They married on February 14, 1953 She was a born teacher, even setting up a pretend classroom in her backyard as a child, and she made sure her children were surrounded by books and creativity. Her professional teaching career was interrupted by marriage but resumed after her husband's death in 1979. This tragic loss only stimulated her determination, and she went back to school to receive her M.A. in education at Seton Hall University. Later she studied at Raritan Valley Community College to develop the skills for her desktop publishing business. She worked in schools and later at Exxon Mobil, giving her children a valuable lesson in resilience. She took pride in her education and inspired all her children to go to college. She was a creative soul, a gifted writer and poet. A member of Women Who Write and various poetry groups, she attended workshops, published in regional publications and helped friends to publish.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and worked as an extraordinary minister. Mary Lee's quiet faith could be seen in her daily attendance at Mass and rosary. She was also involved in her larger community, on the Board of Elections for Somerset County and with the local chapter of the American Association of University Women, where she helped with the annual book sale fundraiser.

She had many other skills: getting words and smiles out of shy grandchildren; maintaining serene repose while dozens of relatives gabbed around her; developing friendships with people of all ages and interests; and always having hydrogen peroxide on hand to pour on a skinned knee.

She leaves behind nine children: Russ, Tom, Helen, Liz, Mary, Meg, Mike, John and Caroline and their wonderful spouses and partners. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Timothy who died at birth, and her sister, Betsy Jones Molloy. She had fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Holy Cross Cemetery, Basking Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. PO Box 476 Convent Station, NJ 07961-0476.

For more information or to send condolences please visit gcfuneralhome.com