West Scranton residents Mary Clare Kingsley and her younger sister, Jane Duffy Shrive, grew up in a large Irish Catholic family that instilled values of resilience, determination and love for family first.

Kingsley, the eldest of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy, and Shrive, the middle child, said they developed a bond closer than most siblings because their clan always was in it together to get by.

So it made sense that the longtime members of the Society of Irish Women stepped up to be co-presidents together this year. They'll celebrate this milestone — they're the first pair of sisters to helm the group of about 100 in a year — during the society's 19th annual St. Patrick's Day dinner celebration Friday.

Kingsley and Shrive also revel in how the group lined up Hillary Clinton as keynote speaker. The sisters hoped to bring in the former Secretary of State and presidential candidate for the event, which they always attended with their mother before she died in 2011. They believe the former first lady embodies many of the qualities they learned at their parents' knees, not least of all because Clinton's father, the late Hugh Rodham, also grew up in Scranton.

"I just think it was wonderful growing up in a big family. We didn't have a lot, but we valued everything we had. We shared a lot, but it never mattered to us, because we were happy," Shrive said. "That's why we wanted a woman who would portray giving, being a good person and being all about her family. Every time I think about it, I think about my mom smiling down on us and how proud she'd be."

"We're hoping (Clinton is) going to inspire ... and unite us. After all, our group is an organization that tries to bring women to the forefront," Kingsley agreed. "She made me believe that a woman can do anything. I think she can bring a lot back to our area to make women feel important, do what they need to do and be proud of it."

Evie Rafalko McNulty, mistress of ceremonies for Friday's event, is a founding member of the society and sent a letter to Clinton every year inviting her to the dinner. The Lackawanna County recorder of deeds said she feels "psyched" to finally have Clinton there, an accomplishment McNulty attributed to Shrive and Kingsley's dedicated work.

They secured the appearance in large part through the efforts of Scranton resident Virginia McGregor, an ardent Clinton supporter who hosted fundraisers in her Green Ridge home during Clinton's presidential campaign. McGregor will offer a few remarks and introduce Clinton at the dinner.

"I'm thrilled and so honored that Mary Clare and Jane included me on this important, historic night," McGregor said. "I'm very much looking forward to it. It is important to note that no one else with NEPA roots has achieved what (Clinton) has — (being) first lady, a U.S. senator, Secretary of State and nominee of a major party for president. During all that, she advocated for peace in Ireland and women and children throughout the world. All of those accomplishments are worth celebrating. She has made us all very proud."

A formal invitation went to Clinton in December, and she accepted in late January, though it remained secret among just a handful of society members until Feb. 22 while they worked out the logistics to handle what they correctly foresaw as the greatest call for tickets the group ever had.

"We wanted to have (Clinton) share her courage and resilience and dedication to women and this country," Kingsley said. "Women have had to fight for everything they've gotten: for positions, for salaries, everything."

Past dinners have drawn presidential candidates, sitting vice presidents and other national speakers, McNulty noted, and "things happen for a reason. We could use a boost of (Clinton)." Like the co-presidents, she expects to Clinton's remarks to dazzle dinner guests.

"(Clinton) is what most women and young women aspire to be: a strong, determined woman," McNulty said. "She's just the epitome of grace. She has taken a blow that is being felt worldwide and still risen above and shined above (it) and taught us to move on.

"Nov. 8 (Election Day) wasn't the end of the world. She's got a couple thousand friends here to have dinner with. I just want her to feel at home. She'll give an inspiring speech, there is no doubt of that. I'm hoping in the middle of it all, we can have a couple laughs, and in the next journey of her life, Scranton will be on her mind."

And while Clinton certainly marks a highlight of the night, society members and guests look forward to the celebration year after year for the networking opportunities and memories it provides. Music by Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band and soloists and chorale singers from Valley View High School set the scene for Irish revelry.

"The energy is ecstatic," Kingsley said. "You don't have to be Irish to be there, but you'll feel like you are by the end of the night."

Her sister called it "such a special night."

"You leave your worries at home, there's wonderful Irish music, and everybody's happy to see each other," Shrive said. "It's so uplifting.

"This group is not just about meeting once a year at dinner, though," she added. "We are all about giving. We do lots of fundraisers, donate and help prepare hot meals at St. Stanislaus' kitchen and St. Francis (of Assisi) Kitchen. We sing at the nursing homes at Christmas and bring cookies, give socks, hats and gloves to schools, and gave out valentines for every patient at five different nursing homes."

It's a spirit of generosity and kindness Shrive and Kingsley said they owe to their dad, who always worked at least two jobs and walked both ways to each, and their mom, who stayed at home to raise their three sons and six daughters.

"I was brought up in an Irish home and always celebrated St. Patrick's Day," Kingsley said. "I'm proud to be doing this with my sister. We always went to this (dinner) with our mom, so we cherish this."

Contact the writer: pwilding@timesshamrock.com, @pwildingTT on Twitter

If you go

What: 19th annual Society of Irish Women St. Patrick's Day dinner celebration featuring keynote speaker Hillary Clinton

When: Friday; cocktails start at 5:30 p.m., and dinner follows at 7

Where: Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave.

Meet the co-presidents

Mary Clare Kingsley

At home: She is the oldest of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy and has been married to Gerald for 41 years. She has three children, Brian and wife, Marilyn; Kelly and husband, Luqman; and Kim, plus four grandchildren, Elias, Logan, Aidan and Sahmira.

At work: Retired after 25 years as a confidential payroll secretary in Scranton School District

Jane Duffy Shrive

At home: She is the middle of nine children of Clarence Duffy and the late Mary C. Duffy and has been married to Dennis for 34 years. She has three children, attorney Jason and wife, Jennifer; Jeff and wife, Stacey; and Eric and wife, Karlie, plus four grandchildren, Duffy, Connor, Tanner and Sophia.

At work: Special-education paraprofessional for 19 years in Scranton School District

2017 honoree

During Friday's dinner, Jefferson Twp. resident Mary Ellen Coleman also will give brief remarks after the Society of Irish Women honors her for her charitable efforts with numerous groups, including St. Joseph's Center, Scranton Tomorrow, United Way of Lackawanna County and Scranton Area Foundation. In particular, Coleman focuses her energies on serving children and adults with special needs, single moms, the lonely and the less fortunate.

"We honor (individuals) for their contributions to the people of this area, and she volunteers and supports so many nonprofits," society co-president Mary Clare Kingsley said. "She's a wonderful woman."