Mary Eleanor (Howard) Fennessy,96, formerly of Lawrence and North Andover, MA, passed away peacefully with her daughter at her side on February 11th, 2012, at the Halcyon House in Methuen. She passed away from natural causes after a brief period of declining health.
Mrs. Fennessy, known as Mae, was born in Lowell, MA to the late James and Catherine (Smith) Howard on December 17, 1915. She graduated from the Sacred Heart Grammar School, Lowell High School and Burdett College in Boston. She worked at the Lowell Rubber Company before becoming the registrar at Wilfred Beauty Academy of Boston. She took great pride in her position at Wilfred Academy, and loved the daily commute to, and from Boston on the train with her friends. She was a member of the League of Catholic Women, Seton Guild, and Children of Mary Sodality.
She married the late Patrick F. Fennessy in September, 1946 and shared 51 wonderful, and exciting years of marriage raising their daughters, traveling and developing their summer seasonal business. Mae was a devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and dear friend always with a ready smile. She loved family gatherings, cooking, entertaining, reading, and most of all being a homemaker. Her family was always her top priority. Upon moving to Lawrence, she became an active member of St. Patrick's Parish and the Holy Rosary Sodality. Mae was an exceptional role model to her two daughters. She was a kind, gentle, generous, pleasant, compassionate, and happy lady handling every situation with quiet strength, incredible grace, and great dignity.
In 1965 with their dear friends, Leo and Gertrude Marcoux, they purchased, and further developed the Hampton Beach Trailer Park in Hampton Beach, NH. Mae would beam when talking about "The Park". She loved every moment spent there. She was so very proud of their efforts, and often said how it allowed them to grow old gracefully and with purpose. She was actively involved with the business through the summer of 2008. While she enjoyed wintering in Flagler Beach, FL with her husband she always looked forward to May when the park would open. Over the last two years her most favorite outings were Thursday trips to the park, then lunch with her daughter.
Mae is survived by her youngest and loving daughter, Mary Ellen Fennessy McDermott, her son-in law William McDermott, the grandson she so loved and adored, Patrick Fennessy McDermott, many nieces and nephews, and dear friend Michael Marcoux. She was pre-deceased by her beloved daughter, the Honorable Eileen P. Fennessy, her brother James Howard, sisters, brothers and sisters in-law K. Doris Reardon Sullivan, Frank Reardon, Daniel Sullivan, Constance and Paul Durkin, James and Annie Fennessy, William and Mary Fennessy, Jack and Madeline Fennessy, Catherine, Hannah, Mary, Dan, Ellen Fennessy, and lifelong friends and business partners, Leo and Gertrude Marcoux.
The family is so very thankful for, and appreciative of the outstanding care, love, and support provided to Mae and her family during her stay by the dedicated staff of the Halcyon House. They also would like to thank the Merrimack Valley Hospice for their excellent care and support during her last two weeks.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to call on Wednesday February 15, 2012 from 4:00pm - 8:00 p.m. at the John Breen Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack St. North Andover, Massachusetts. Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Michael Church in North Andover, Massachusetts. Her burial will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
For condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
Memorial Contributions may made to The Halcyon House Activity Fund, 175 Berkley St. Methuen, MA 01844, or the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St. Lawrence, MA 01843.