Mary Jo Driscoll
Saratoga Springs — Mary Jo Driscoll, 64, died on June 23, at home with her loving family, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Troy, Mary Jo was the daughter of John Q. Driscoll and the late Jean Manzerra Driscoll, and step-daughter of JoAnne Dwyer Driscoll. She was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany and St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.
Mary Jo started her career in institutional development, raising funds for colleges, universities and private secondary schools, including Emma Willard School and Skidmore College. She transitioned into her second career and her true passion by starting Chumley’s Chums, a pet care business in Saratoga Springs. Mary Jo provided exceptional loving care to her many animal clients, and developed strong friendships with their humans.
Mary Jo had a wide range of interests, many close friends and loved her life in Saratoga. She was an avid reader and golfer. She also enjoyed knitting, gardening, travel, and the New York Times crossword puzzle. Her creativity, eye for art and eclectic tastes were apparent to anyone who visited her home. Mary Jo derived great joy from caring for animals, especially dogs, with whom she always forged a strong connection.
She was a member of the Ballston Spa Country Club and the knitting group at Common Thread, and she served on the board of Whispering Angels of Saratoga Springs. She was also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Mary Jo cherished her family. She especially loved her nieces and nephews and was always interested and involved in their lives. She is survived by her father and stepmother John Q. Driscoll and JoAnne Dwyer Driscoll, her siblings Sheila (Tony) Celata of Hamilton, MA, Matthew (Kim) Driscoll of Chelmsford, MA and Amy (John) Hogan of Syracuse, NY. She is also survived by her step-sisters Janis Randall and JoAnna Dwyer of Castleton, NY and her nieces and nephews, Jacqueline, Nick and Adam Celata, J.P. and Ben Driscoll, and Sarah and Jack Hogan.
Mary Jo was well loved and will be dearly missed. Her family extends their sincerest thanks to the doctors and staff at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, the palliative care team at Saratoga Hospital and The Community Hospice.
The family will hold a service and celebration of Mary Jo’s life at a later date. For those who wish, donations in Mary Jo’s memory can be made to the Saratoga Animal Shelter www.saratogacountyanimalshelter.com/ or Whispering Angels of Saratoga Springs whisperingangels.us.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com