Jean Marie Foley

Jean Marie Foley, 61, of Mechanicsburg, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at UPMC West Shore Hospital, in the arms of her daughter, surrounded by her family, after complications from side effects of her cancer treatment.

She was born September 5, 1963, in Bethlehem, PA, to the late Joseph Martin Foley and Joan Mangan Foley and was the youngest of nine children (by only 8 minutes). She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School, earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Kutztown University, and earned her master's degree in Special Education from Shippensburg Univeristy.

She moved to the Harrisburg area after college and worked for many years at Small Steps and Magic Years Childcare Care Center as a teacher and eventually Center Director. She then worked at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit for 25 years as a teacher and consultant, supporting and mentoring other teachers. She was also active in her union, Capital Area Education Association and PSEA, in many different roles over her career.

She fiercely loved her children and grandchildren. Her pride for them radiated from her, and her support for them knew no bounds. She always wanted her home to be open not just to them but also to their friends, who she also loved dearly. She raised her children in the Sheepford Crossing neighborhood, where she developed many wonderful friendships.

She loved her Irish heritage, music, dance, food, and drink. She made her award-winning Irish soda bread for as many people as possible every St. Patrick’s Day. She spent several summers hosting children from Northern Ireland in her home through Project Children.

Besides her family and friends, her favorite things were the Philadelphia Eagles, Billy Joel, Wicked, and her swimming pool. Her favorite color was allegedly orange, but really it was green.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her siblings, Joseph Foley, Ellen Trexler, and Michael Foley, and her beloved pug, Rocky. She is survived by her children, Colleen Gray Nguyen, husband Michael, of Lower Allen and Adam Joseph Gray, partner LeighAnn Minnich, of Camp Hill; grandchildren, Leena Thi Nguyen Dorsey, Joseph Bang Nguyen, and Ophelia Jean Nguyen; her partner Jerry Welch; her siblings and in-laws (who she thought of as her siblings), Pat & Bill Kelly, Tim & Saralyn Foley, Clare Foley, Marikay & Lenny Wrabel, Jim & Donna Foley, and Joan Foley & Rusty Walker; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews that she absolutely adored.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30am Friday, March 21st at Parthemore Funeral Home, New Cumberland. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11am at St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church, New Cumberland. An Irish wake will be celebrated at the Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg beginning at 2pm. The family requests that you wear Philadelphia Sports attire or dress like it’s St. Patrick’s Day.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Keystone Diabetic Kids Camp, https://www.kdkc.org/