It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we announce the passing of our mother Aileen Patricia O’Leary (nee Duffy). Aileen passed away at the age of 90 on May 30, 2019, in The Villages, Florida.
Aileen was born to Frank and Mary Duffy in Manhattan on August 21, 1928. She is predeceased by her loving parents, Frank and Mary, her cherished brother Frank, her beloved husband Jerry and her caring son-in law Dan Carito. She is survived by her five adoring children: Jerry (Rita), Alana Gallagher (Kevin), Pat Gerrity (Al), Michele Carito, and Maureen Daiker (Jim); her eleven loving grandchildren: Tom, Michael, Christine (Pete), Allison, Dan (Abby), Sean (Kelly), Brian, Katie, Meaghan, Tori (Paul), and
Maggie; and her five great grandchildren: Danny, Leo, Teddy, Cora, and Olive. She is also survived by her niece Elaine Hunter and her nephew Ernest Schultz.
Aileen was always the consummate student and had a thirst for learning. She attended St. Jean Baptiste High School, Notre Dame College and St. John’s University School of Law. She was truly a pioneer attending law school in the mid-1950s, one of only a few women in her class. While raising her five children, Aileen also pursued her career, and over the next four decades worked as an attorney, a banker, and an entrepreneur.
Aileen grew up in Woodside, Queens, and after marrying settled in Flushing, where she was an active parishioner of St. Andrew Avellino, participating in the Mother’s Club, coaching the Swim Team, and volunteering with the Girl Scouts. Aileen and her husband Jerry ran Arrow Liquors in Broadway Flushing for ten years, and, in the mid-1970s, they also owned and operated the Dolphin Restaurant in Montauk. It was a classic family business, with all five children receiving work experience.
Upon her retirement, she moved to Cedar Glen Lakes in Whiting, New Jersey, where she continued to enjoy her lifelong hobbies—bridge, bowling and bocce. Aileen also served on the Board of Directors for Cedar Glen Lakes and as Treasurer for the community newspaper, Echoes of the Glen. An avid reader throughout her life, Aileen benefited immensely from audiobooks as her vision declined due to macular degeneration.
In 2013, Aileen moved to The Villages, Florida, to be closer to family. There she lived a very full life, participating in many activities and making new friends in the community. In November 2018, she suffered a broken hip, from which she never fully recovered.
