February 1, 2020
 
Dear St. Francis Xavier Families:
 
I am so sorry to inform you that Mary Higgins Clark, a kind and generous alumnus of St. Francis Xavier School, died yesterday at the age of 92. 
 
Mary was born and raised right here in Morris Park, the daughter of an Irish-born father and an Irish-American mother.  Mary was quite proud of her Irish-American heritage.  She served as Grand Marshal of the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan.
 
Her love of writing was nurtured at St. Francis Xavier School, where her teachers encouraged Mary to keep writing her stories.  She started writing her stories when she was just seven years old.
 
Mary’s strong Catholic faith, lovingly nurtured here at St. Francis Xavier Church and School, kept her going through the hard times in her life.
 
She valued education; she was an alumnus of St. Francis Xavier School, Villa Maria Academy, and Fordham University.  Mary was a kind and generous benefactor to St. Francis Xavier School, donating the funds for our beautiful Mary Higgins Clark Library and providing funds for student scholarships.  We are so grateful for all she has done for her alma mater, St. Francis Xavier School.
 
Mary wrote 51 books, each one of them a bestseller.  She is one of the world’s most popular writers, known lovingly as the “Queen of Suspense.”  Michael Korda, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Simon & Schuster said, “. . .nobody worked harder than Mary did on her books to deliver for her readers.  She was also unfailingly cheerful under pressure, generous, good humored, and warm-hearted. . . .”
 
The thoughts and prayers of Mary’s St. Francis Xavier School family are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
 
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Marie O’Shea
Principal
St. Francis Xavier School