Obituary of Mary Christine Wallach
Mary Christine Wallach (nee McGee) 82, a retired Registered Nurse and Psychotherapist born in Brooklyn, NY, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at home with her family in Monticello, NY.
Mary was a brilliant woman, a member of Mensa, who pursued higher education later in life while working and raising three children. Her education included a Bachelors in Nursing, a Masters in Business, and a PhD in Psychology. Early in her career she devoted herself to medical/surgical nursing and later to working with teenagers who suffered from both mental illness and addiction. She held a special place in her heart for those suffering from alcoholism, and for 45 years counseled many men and women who turned to her for help with this illness.
Much to the delight of her fans, Mary expressed formidable artistic abilities in her 50s, exploring collage, ceramics, painting, and creating whimsical soft sculptures with her daughter Melinda, resulting in an art show in 2014 at the Old Stone House in Woodbourne, NY. Her friends and loved ones remember her for her kindness, honesty, and courage, in addition to her exceptional listening skills and nonjudgmental attitude. She was known also for her great sense of humor, love of puzzles of all types, and ability to laugh at herself.
She is survived by her three children: sons Austin Prentiss of Bethel and Christopher Wallach of Flushing, as well as a daughter, Melinda Wallach of Monticello, brother Dr. Hugh E. McGee, Jr. of Bethel, and nephews, Edward McGee and Kevin McGee. Mary was predeceased by her parents Hugh E. McGee, Sr. and Anna Olesky McGee, sister Dorothea McGee, and brother William McGee.
The family sends special thanks to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, whose dedicated employees made the last 7 months of her life comfortable and filled with compassion.
A “Memorial” Celebration of Life, which will include display of her art, will be held in May 2025, date and location to be determined and posted on the website below.
Cremation arrangements were provided under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello NY. For additional information on the May memorial or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com
