Mary E. Lundy, teacher and sportswoman

Updated: 05/18/07 7:05 AM

Oct. 1, 1959 — May 15, 2007

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Elizabeth Lundy of Grand Island, a teacher and sportswoman, will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Stephen Catholic Church, 2100 Baseline Road, Grand Island.

She died Tuesday in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center after a long illness. She was 47.

Born Mary Elizabeth McDonough in Buffalo, she was a graduate of Grand Island High School and Buffalo State College and was a member of the swimming teams at both schools. She held several records. She earned a master’s degree in education from Buffalo State College with three teaching certifications.

She taught in the U.S. Virgin Islands and then for seven years in North Tonawanda schools before becoming a special-education teacher at the Niagara Academy of Orleans-Niagara Board of Cooperative Educational Services. She retired about 10 years ago after being injured by a student.

Certified as a master SCUBA diver, she lived on a famous diving pier in the Virgin Islands, her husband, David L., said, and dived every day before going to teach. She also dived with Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic.

A talented musician who played by ear, she entertained family and friends on piano, saxophone and clarinet. Also adept as an artist, in recent years she painted, sculpted and made jewelry.

She was a member of the Big Book/Step Group and enjoyed gardening, caring for her dogs and driving in Western New York Mini Cooper Club rallies.

Surviving, in addition to her her husband of four years, are her mother, Mary Patricia McDonough; a sister, Kathleen Lenhard; and four brothers, Michael P. McDonough, Charles P. McDonough, John R. McDonough and Thomas R. McDonough.