She was an inspiration to my daughter Shannon, she made Shannon what she is today, proud! Shannon always looked forward to Mary teaching her class. She hated when Mary wasn't there. Mary will be missed by all that were a part of her life. May she rest in piece! God Bless her family and closest friends. Love Michelle, Shawn, Shane and Shannon.

My deepest sympathy to her family at this very sad time. My daughter is a dancer and I am at all the local feisana and I always saw her attending to all the dancers. She was always sweet and helpfull and would help anyone in a minute. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

My deepest sympathy to her family at this very sad time. My daughter is a dancer and I am at all the local feisana and I always saw her attending to all the dancers. She was always sweet and helpfull and would help anyone in a minute. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

I recall many a feis seeking out MaryMac because I knew I would find a smile and we would be sure to be laughing. I have so many memories of outdoor feis' with Mary, particularly a feis at STCC in Springfield, MA when Mary was filmed for the local news. In the last few years I would still look for her at feis. She was truly amazing and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her entire family. Thank you Mary for sharing your smile with all of us.

My daughter came to Mary Mac at age 9 feeling awkward about dancing with girls so much younger than she. Mary made her feel comfortable and instilled a love of dance in her which will last a lifetime. The confidence she has given to her students is amazing and is a tribute to her in every way. Today we are in Maine for the State Feis - and will be thinking of you today and always. The Chisholm Family

When I think of Mary Mac I think of my own childhood. I danced many years ago with Mary and the "Macs". Carpooling to Boston for dance class. Mary is an inspiration to all of us. She lived a great life, followed her dreams and seemed to have a good time along the way. She touched me and my family in many ways. Her bright smile and warm heart will live on forever. Ann Marie Kelleher (sliney)

I remember last August, Mary was so helpful to my daughter and I. Your smile just brightened our day. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

We will miss your smiles,warm enthusiasm, encouragement and spirit. When we dance, we will always think of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Mary's family. Abigail, Kaleigh & Meghan Bernier Joanne & Earl Bernier

I started dancing with Mary over 30 years ago and I am proud to be one of her first students when she started her own school. I have always cherished my step dancing memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jill

I don't think any news has made me so sad as the news of Mary's passing yesterday,It is very hard to believe that someone with her zest for life as well as her great smile,positive attitude and great sense of humour is no longer with us.my thoughts and prayers go out to her immediate family as well as her big extended Irish Dancing family.We will always love and have great memories of her

Mary was one of those rare people that when she walked into a room she had everyone attention....such an amazing presence.

Mary was an amazing woman. I met her in 1994 when I began my adventures at Merrimack with Clare. From the first day I met her she was full of energy and love. A strong and talented woman. Mary was the type of person that put everyone else before herself. She went above and beyond to make sure friends and family were safe and well taken care of. She was an incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and mentor. I will miss her very much.

Mary was the best teacher ever. She never gave up on me and I came so far. She has the best smile and she wasn't afraid to share it with others. I felt so welcomed when I first started and I never wanted to stop dancing. She has helped so many people and many with miss her. God Bless You Mary and rest in peace

I will miss mary lots! She was also soooooooooo happy and aways so nice to any one she met.THANKS for helping me with my Irish dancing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you Keeks. See u soon hopefully.

I knew Mary when we were both young girls dancing. Though we danced at different schools, our parents knew each other and we often saw each other at feisanna and various Irish events in Worcester. My first impression of Mary was what a remarkable dancer she was. I remember the first time I watched her danced. She was in her cream colored dress with the green satin sleeves. I was in awe of how her feet moved so fast, yet stayed perfectly on time to the music. She was fantastic to watch. I ran into mary last year at the McInerney School feis. She came up and gave me a great big hug and asked about my family. I will miss Mary and my heartfelt condolences go out to her family.

Mary McInerney was such a blessing to have in our lives. I will always remember her contageous smile and laughter that I, and all of her dancers heard everytime we were in her studio. She was a loving and encouraging teacher, and she always had the spring in her step of an Irish dancer. Mary has touched the lives of so many people, and she will be forever loved and missed. Rest in peace, Mary. We love you.

We will miss your smiles,warm enthusiasm, encouragement and spirit. When we dance, we will always think of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Mary's family.

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life's been full, I've savored much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief— Don't shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Mary you had one of the greatest smiles and you always made us feel welcome in the New England Region. We are going to miss you. God Bless you Mary and may you rest in peace.

Mary was the one who made me love dance, to the point where i could never completely give it up, and she was the one who kept us all together. She was always smiling and she loved life. We all loved her- she touched so many people- and we'll miss her.

Slán abhaile

Mary you were an inspiration to all who were blessed to have known you. It was your guidance and encouragement which helped Andrew become the fine young man and performer he has grown to be. You will forever be missed, but will never be forgotten. Our sincere & deepest sympathies to the McInerney & Zona Families.

We were blessed to know Mary. Those years of dancing with Mary were very special. She was so supportive of her students, yet taught them they had to work hard to be successful. The children (and parents) all loved her. We have many great memories of Feis' all over New England - Mary with her wonderful smile, providing encouragement and cheering her girls on.... She will be missed, and remembered with a great fondness. Our deepest sympathy to her family, friends and school community, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to marys friends and family. Mary truly inspired the world...you were truly the best teacher and coach i have ever danced with. you will always be in my heart and in my mind everytime i dance... God bless and rest in peace..WE LOVE YOU MARY!! YOU are my angel

Wordsmith that I profess to be, I cannot find any to express how much I will miss my friend, fan and an original source of inspiration for all that Feis America has become. From the very first time we met at the Murphys, your wisdom, humor and high standards for what ID has meant to you has influenced both my mission and my writing. The gifts you gave in your own children, the Murphy family and all the dancers whose steps have delighted your eyes and ears will live on for generations to come. Mary, while you dance your perfect steps in Heaven, we will honor your memory by working to uphold with the values you held so dear. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Kathleen O'Reilly-Wild, family and Feis America team

May God help Mary's family through this tragic time. I'm sure that my family and I will always fondly remember Mary whenever we see Irish Step Dancers anywhere. This is truly a loss to the community and our prayers are with you all.

Mary obviously has touched many lives in the Irish dance world. It was evident that her dancers were a complete team as they cheered eachother on and suppported eachother whether it was there day or not. She had a fabulous smile and was a strong Irish women. My daughters all prayed for Mary and my oldest, who dances and has seen her around feisanna, asked why isn't there a cure for cancer? The only response I can think of is that God needed her more up there than here on earth. I raise my glass to Mary today for all she was here and all she will become up there!

We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to Mary's family and friends. Her loss is surely devastating. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God grant you comfort in this time of sadness May she rest in peace. Kindest regards, The Hanson Family

We hope you know how very much you have touched our lives. You have been a truly wonderful teacher and friend. You have shared with us your love of dance, and reminded us to love life, and to always remember to enjoy what we do. Your smile and fun loving attitude made being with you a joy. Your ability to make us step it up and strive to be our best through the way you coached us - loud and strong – but with love, was something we will take with us as we venture forward in our lives. You have inspired us, encouraged us, and supported us always, even as you yourself were in need of much of the same. Your courage and strength as you have fought to be well was inspiring and will continue to inspire us each and every day. We will miss you dearly. Even though you aren’t here with us now, know that we will continue to think of you often, especially when we hear Irish dance music and we can’t keep our feet from beginning to batter against the floor. We hope you know that you have taught us all well, and that we will remember all that we have learned from you, not only about dancing but about friendship, commitment, and loving life. We know what you would be saying to us if you were here. We will hear your voice telling us what to improve, and will push ourselves the way you would want us to. We will feel proud when we dance well as you would want us to, but promise to remember there is always room to do better. We will keep reaching for the stars and striving to do our best, and to make you proud as you look down on us from above. We will keep dancing for the joy it brings to our hearts, as you have taught us to. Our hearts will truly miss having you here each day to share that with. But we will smile as we remember you and all of the wonderful memories we have. We feel truly blessed to have had you in our lives. We wish you peace, our dear teacher and friend, and know that you will be dancing with us in heaven.

My favorite thing about Mary was her awesome smile and great personality….she was SO friendly and open, no matter who you were in the Irish dance world. She was one of the first teachers when I started in the region to make me feel welcome, and always made an effort to be friendly and supportive when she could have easily just not bothered. I loved that she was sure of herself without being arrogant…and that she let you know what she thought—you didn’t have to guess with her what she was thinking. She was a great mom, consoling Keeley when she didn’t place and celebrating with her when she did, and in both cases assuring her that she did a great job and was proud of her. And I really admire Mary for the successful, competitive school that built, which will continue to keep her spirit alive…it is nice that we will have a part of Mary with us wherever the McInerney school goes! Thank you, Mary, for your friendship…I will really miss you, and we will never forget you!!

My daughter was a freshman at Clark U last year, and while she wanted to keep dancing, she wouldn't have if she couldn't find the right fit. Mary and her school was a blessing we could not have imagined. Mary made my daughter feel at home from day one. Just when we were worried about sending our first off to college, we had Mary Mac who always extended herself beyond the role of teacher. What an amazing woman. What she has created in the McInerney school and community is a gift and will live on forever. Our sincerest sympathies to Keely, Clare, the entire McInerney family and all the dancers and their families.

Although we did not know Mary Mac personally, we are part of the Irish dance community and so feel honored to have had her touch our lives. She was unfailingly kind and when we think of her, the first thing that comes to mind is her amazing smile. Her generous spirit and loving heart will serve as inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her dancers at this difficult time.

I remember that I was a stage hand and helped her daughter during a feis. She came up to me and thanked me. RIP Mary.

This song is a wonderful tribute to Mary! She loved life and we will always remember her smiling and laughing. Her strong will and determination to succeed will live on in all of her dancers. We will always have fond memories of dance classes and oireachtas practices, when the girls and their Moms knew it had to be perfect! She has given us all so much, we are heartbroken for her family, friends, and dancers and extend our sincere condolences to all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace Mary, ... and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. God Bless,

Mary's smile and laugh were such a treasure. My heart goes out to her family and dancers. May we all find peace and comfort in our memories of such a wonderful woman, mother, dancer, and friend. Your light may be dimmed , but will shine forever in our hearts. With much love, respect, and admiration--

My fondest memory of Mary was not with Mary at all, but was at the 2009 NAN'S when Keelley walked onto the stage to accept her award! Keeley danced with so much heart that day! She danced not only for herself, but for her mom as well! When Keeley's name was called on that stage in Nashville, I saw what Mary must have been as a child! An angelic being filled with so much promise, talent and so much to give! Mary...your spirit will live on forever in your children! Thank you for all of your support for Hannah....and for bringing Keeley to us...she is such a wonderful little girl...a true reflection of her mother! You will be missed! God Bless~

I will remember Mary as always having a SMILE on her face! Even as a teenager, when we first met, Mary was ALWAYS smiling or laughing!!! Mary LOVED LIFE ~ Don't EVER forget that!!!! I am heartbroken for Mary's family, friends and dancers. This is a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with Mary's family and friends. Maureen Donachie Nanuet, NY

We will always cherish the memories of Mary's warm smile and carefree attitude. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Annie and Coley Mullen

I am heartbroken for her family, friends, dancers. Even those who didn't know her well, or only knew her a bit could see how full of life and how caring she was. At every feis, there she was with a crew of her dancers following her around, she always looked like a mother hen with her adored kids around her. What a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.

Mary was a wonderful person and alway had a positive attitude, even through her fight with cancer. I don't ever remember her not having a smile on her face or a kind word to everyone she met. I will always have fond memories of Mary - she will be greatly missed in the Irish dance community. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family.

My memory of Mary Mac is one of fun fun fun. She is one of only a couple of people who I had as "new friends "since moving here five years ago. Her infectious love of live and irish dancing was second to none. I am very privlleged to have had her touch my life and I will never forget her. For her friends who shared our National memories last year in nashville (the key of the Oireachtas!!!) you will be sadly missed and always remembered. Heaven has gained an angel and we have lost a friend. So sadly missed Terry G

I''m am so very sorry that we will never meet Mary. My son Declan is going to Holy Cross and made plans to attend her nearby studio, we know she was a great lady and we're so very sorry for all. We will most certainly keep you in our prayers.

Everywhere Mary went, she made people smile. She is an inspiration to all in the Irish dance community. Condolences and prayers to her family....she will be greatly missed and always remembered fondly.

She had an infectios laugh, a wonderful smile and always a kind word. The Irish dance world wont be the same without her. I have been singing " My fathers making me mary MaryMac" all day thinking about and praying for her. The song has always made me think of her and smile. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family

so many memories - of Mary dancing as a little girl, of her having a great time at Michael and Noreen's wedding, enjoying "Heaven and Hell" night at the World - enjoying some conversaton and always, always, laughter - she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her - condolences and prayers to her family love, Patsy

Even though I never danced at the McInerney school of irish dance and never got to know Mary personally, I would always see Mary with a smile on her face or her talking and encouraging her dancers before they danced at every feis. From glances and some few words, Mary's personality was shown through her smile. No longer dancing anymore, I am truly going to miss her smile. Mary, I and every dancer who has talked to you will miss you very much. My heart and preyers go out to you, your family and your friends. We will miss you.

When others probably thought I was delusional to be starting my TCRG prep in my late 30s, Mary was supportive and encouraging. She told me that if I loved Irish Step and wanted to teach it, I should give it a go. Her only concern for me was: how would I find the time to study, being a mother of 3 young children at the time? She warned me that I would really need to study and it would not be easy at my age. "You already have a life," she said, recalling how she herself had been a young college student when she studied for the TCRG "as if it were another class in school." Mary's honesty made her funny. We both came from the Bronx, NY, and both have parents from the old country, so she knew she could be frank with me. "You'll do it because you're not an ee-jit," she said, and I took that as a compliment. Her can-do attitude was infectious. It is unfathomable that Mary's strong spirit didn't trump cancer itself, because she had such a presence and such energy. It will live on in the seeds she planted in her dancers. My daughter at age 7 (now 18) was both scared of and in love with Mary, when she started as a beginner in her school. As a parent, I loved that, because it meant Mary was getting my strong-willed child's sincere respect. I suspect many others probably know their child's determination to succeed comes partly from something about Mary. She made you have fun while working hard on something. What a gift. What a blessing. My deepest condolences to Mary's family and friends. Mary leaves a big hole in this region. God Bless,