Madora "Toby" McNulty

McNulty, Madora “Toby” of Livonia, Michigan passed away at age 90 on July 18, 2024. She was born in Detroit on December 5, 1933, in conjunction with Mary “Tiny” J. Modes to William F. Modes and Elizabeth L. (Pearson) Modes. A huge part of her early life centered around St. Mary’s of Redford, all eight (8) of her siblings attended and graduated from there. The twins graduated high school in 1952, Toby then went into nursing training at Providence Hospital “on the Boulevard”.

She completed her education and graduated in 1955 from nurses training, she promptly started her career at Mount Carmel Hospital. While in training she met her future husband (Eugene B. McNulty), the older brother of Frances, one of her best friends and a fellow nursing student.

In August of 1957, Toby and Gene tied the knot, they initially lived in Detroit, then Redford and finally settled in Livonia in 1968. In Livonia they became parishioners of St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church. Toby and Gene had two children, Patrick (Pat) and Kathleen (Katie), they worked very hard to give their children every opportunity possible. They were incredible supporters throughout their children’s development, rarely missed a game or school event. They were very influential with teaching their children the Catholic faith at home as well as at school, Pat and Katie both had 12 years of Catholic education. The summers were largely spent at the cottage in Gladwin on the Tittabawassee River. “Up north” included Tiny and her family, as well as other cousins that had places on the river.

Toby worked as a registered nurse for 42 years, 35 years at Mt. Carmel and seven (7) at Botsford Hospital. She had spent time in ICU/CCU but the bulk of her experience was in surgery. She made some fantastic and lifelong friends while working, they all remained close in retirement.

Toby was very industrious, especially growing up in the Depression she made it her mission to do as much as she could for the family. On top of her nursing career, she was a brilliant cook, an excellent gardener and loved to sew. She made many clothes for herself and the kids, always cooked home meals, canned fruits, vegetables and sauces…always was trying to “save a buck” by doing it herself.

In 1997, Toby and Gene had moved to the cottage, he unfortunately became ill and passed in July of 2001, a month shy of their 44th wedding anniversary. Five (5) years later (2006) the other great heart break happened with the loss of her twin (Tiny). They were extremely close and the void of losing a twin always remained with her.

By the time Tiny had passed Toby was living in Waterford, she met wonderful new friends mainly from St. Benedicts and St. Perpetua parishes, after fifteen years she decided to move back to Livonia to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law (Robert Wood).

Toby was a pistol, she loved anything and everything to do with food, having a laugh, talking politics and enjoying a beer. She spent a huge amount of time with Katie and Rob, whether it was at the cottage or down state. Not only did Katie hit the jackpot when she met Rob, Toby did as well. She absolutely adored him; they were true partners in crime.

Toby became the proud fur Grandma “Gamma” to Seamus in 2017, he brought her abundant love, joy and comfort over the last years of her life.

In 2018, Toby went with Katie and Rob to Australia via Hong Kong for their engagement party, she had a trip of a lifetime and so very enjoyed the experience, being with Rob’s family and dear friends.

She forever tried to stay active, always wanted to join along for any sort of adventure. Toby loved her exercise at the Livonia Senior Center and continued to make friends into her late 80s and early 90s. On December 5, 2023 she celebrated her 90th in fashion, her energy seemed boundless, she truly was a legend.

She was a very proud and devout Catholic her entire life. Toby loved her country dearly; she was a true patriot. Toby loved all the roles she took on… nurse, wife, mother and grandmother. Toby is survived by her son Patrick (Laurie) McNulty and daughter Kathleen McNulty (Robert Wood), her niece Marianne (Gerard) LaFrance, her grandchildren (Lindsey and Brendon), her brother Robert (Janice) Modes, her sister-in-law (Eileen Wolowiec) and brother-in-law (Vincent (Nora) McNulty). Dearest Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her siblings John L. Dowd (1944), Edward C. Modes (1969), Edward J. Dowd (1984), William P. Dowd (1990), Mary “Tiny” J. Lay (2006), William F. Modes (2008), and James P. Modes (2024).

She will lie in state at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at St. Genevieve-St. Maurice Catholic Church (29015 Jamison, Livonia, MI 48154) until the time of her funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. The funeral mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed here: Livestream just before the mass begins.

Toby’s final resting place will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliott, St., Detroit, MI 48207

(313) 579-2100 https://cskdetroit.org

Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306

(718) 987-1931 https://donationsupport@t2t.org