Whitman – Mary F. (Jennings) Grow 87 of Whitman, formerly of Dorchester, died Wednesday February 6 surrounded by her loving family after a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald E. Grow.
Born and raised in Walpole she was the daughter of the late John E. and Margaret (Sullivan) Jennings and a graduate of Walpole High, Class of 1943.
Before her move to Whitman, Mary had been a longtime resident of Dorchester, where she along with her husband Donald had raised their eleven children.
For many years she had worked as a telephone and switchboard operator for the telephone company, the former Boston Lyon Inn Hospital and the Dorchester House Multi Service Center, retiring in 1998.
She enjoyed bingo but her greatest joy came from the time spent surrounded by her large family including her eleven children and their spouses, her thirty-six grandchildren and her thirty-six great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Kathleen Monahan of Abington, Albert Grow of Nashua, NH, Donald Grow of Ossippee, NH, Denis Grow of Randolph, Margaret Grow of Derry, NH, Mary Higgins of Whitman, Kevin Grow of Holbrook, Patrick Grow of Salem, NH and Brian Grow of Whitman, her siblings Cathy Timmins, Ellie Ober, and Buzzy Jennings. She is also survived by her thirty-six grandchildren and thirty-six great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Maureen Wysocki and Timothy Grow and sister of the late Betty Stevens, Sonny Jennings, Paul Jennings, Dickie Jennings and Euretta Crown.
Her services will be held Wednesday February 13 at 9:30 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM in St. Bridget Church, Abington. Burial will be at a later date. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday February 12 from 4-8 PM.
Donations in her name may be made to Norwell VNA & Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061 or the American Cancer Society, 5 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or to St. Jude Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.