MARY ANN HORSFIELD

A Mass of Christian Burial took place Nov. 4 at St. Joseph’s RC Church, Jersey City, for Mary Ann Curry Horsfield, 77, of Jersey City. She died Oct. 29 at the Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City surrounded by her children. She was born in New York City at New York Hospital on June 21, 1943. Her family lived on Beekman Avenue in the Bronx, and they moved to their home in Jersey City when Mary was 4. Mary resided there to this day. Mary graduated from St. Joseph’s Grammar School, Jersey City. She attended Dickinson High School and began taking a secretarial course of study, was an avid reader who was clocked in high school at reading 161 words a minute with A-plus comprehension so her guidance counselor saw potential in Mary and moved her to the college preparatory course. She earned excellent grades and a perfect score on the verbal section of the SAT’s. Mary was accepted to Rutgers University Douglass, Montclair State University and Jersey City State College. She attended Jersey City State College as a History major for three semesters and began a career in banking at Commercial Trust in Jersey City and then Israeli Discount Bank in New York City. She married the late John (Jack) Anthony Horsfield and became a homemaker. She loved cooking specialties from Julia Child’s cookbook “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and would surprise her family with specialties. Mary made almost everything in the book. She truly could cook and bake anything much to the delight of her family. Mary made everything from scratch. Her cooking and baking talents were many and varied and made every holiday special. She especially loved St. Patrick’s Day. Mary enrolled in Rutgers College of Nursing to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She became a Rutgers Scholar and earned full tuition. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as salutatorian of her class in May 1983 and earned the highest score in the State of NJ on the Nursing Boards that year. Mary worked as a nurse for nearly 20 years starting at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Jersey City Medical Center, then as a visiting pediatric nurse and supervisor for Christ Hospital Home Health in Jersey City, Patient Care Incorporated in West Orange, and Quantum Home Health in Totowa. She graduated from Seton Hall University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 1994 and became a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. After her retirement, Mary kept her nursing license active and took Continuing Education Courses yearly until her death. A devoted mother and grandmother, Mary was an integral part of their lives. Always at the ready with excellent advice and encouragement, she was the very best mother. Whether it was cooking a meal, reading stories, babysitting, or helping with homework, Mary delighted in her grandchildren. Mary is predeceased by her parents Thomas and Margaret Mary Clarke Curry; husband John (Jack) Horsfield; her twin brother Thomas F. Curry and older brother Arthur J. Curry. She is survived by her children, Margaret Mary ( Joseph Burt), Thomas John Horsfield, John Francis and Danielle Horsfield; grandchildren, Charles Curry, Maryann Helen, Joseph Thomas, Rowan and Kaya; and  nieces and nephews. Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.