Moira (Roney) Conaghan

Moira Conaghan (born Mary Cameron Murdoch Biggins Roney) born to Agnes Neil Biggins and William Roney on January 17, 1943 in Glasgow, Scotland, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2015.

On August 23, 1961, Moira followed in her mother’s footsteps and immigrated to New York and joined her mother in Riverdale, New York.  Despite missing the friends and family she left behind in Glasgow, especially her grandparents, Moira never looked back or regretted her move to America.  In New York, Moira made many new lifelong friends and reunited with childhood friends from Glasgow.

In 1963, Moira and her mother moved to 1010 Dorchester Road in Brooklyn.  She spent more than twenty years in Brooklyn.  Moira worked for various banks in Manhattan including Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust and J.P. Morgan.  On November 5, 1985, Moira officially adopted America as her home, becoming a citizen of the United States of America.

In June of 1986, Moira, her mother and her daughters moved to Newark, Delaware.  In September of 1990, she embarked on a wonderful adventure opening her daycare appropriately named “Home Away From Home Daycare”.  Moira cared for over sixty children.  Many of these children and their families have become lifelong extended family members.  Moira remained in Newark until her death.

Sadly, Moira was predeceased by her daughter, Allison Conaghan; her mother, Agnes Roney; and her brother, Robert Roney.

Moira is survived by her daughter, Jennifer McKelvey and her husband, Paul McKelvey; her daughter, Valerie Conaghan and her husband, Stanley Spoor; and her five beloved grandsons, Ryan McKelvey, Scott McKelvey, Jack Spoor, Luke Spoor and Mark Spoor, all of Newark, Delaware.

Moira was a cherished woman who was small in stature and giant in spirit.  Family was the center of her life.  Moira was blessed to personally know six generations of her family.  She kept in close contact with the family she left behind in Scotland.  Moira will be greatly missed here and across the pond.

Family and friends are invited to pay their final respects to Moira at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Thursday, April 23.  A viewing will be held from 1:00-2:00PM, with a brief service beginning at 2:00PM.  Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, where Moira will find eternal peace alongside her mother, Agnes and her daughter, Allison.

 Service Information