Mary Regina Maestranzi Bourque, 64, died peacefully Monday at her home in Beverly, surrounded by her loving, heartbroken family. Mary was born in Beverly on January 11, 1949 to Simon A. and Delfina T. Maestranzi, and always remarked how blessed she was to have siblings who were also her best friends. Mary had many life adventures with her two daughters, Sarah and Leah, whom she adored, and with her husband and friend of 31 years, Richard J. Bourque. Her exploring included more than 30 visits to San Francisco, two trips to Africa (including a month of volunteer nursing service), and travels to England, St. Barth’s, New Mexico, and Italy. She found daily joy in sharing her fun, openhearted and independent spirit with lifelong friends in Beverly. Mary might be found hosting a dinner for her retired veteran friends, tutoring a struggling high school student, trimming a neighbor’s hedges, or making someone in the final moments of life more happy and comfortable. She especially treasured lively and limitless conversations, and spending days with her beautiful granddaughter, Delphine Amma, who will miss her Nonna so.
Mary was a nurse at Shaughnessy Hospital, a lab technician at New England Biolabs, an English literature major who insisted on going back for her degree in her 40s, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a lector at St. Mary’s for many years. She more recently joined the board of Beyond Stage 4, a non-profit committed to finding a cure for late stage breast cancer. Mary was aptly voted Miss Congeniality in a Miss Pink pageant two springs ago. She was a poet, artist, inventor, handyman, chef, gardener, problem solver, dear friend, devoted grandmother, cherished sibling, and the most hardworking, loving, creative and wonderful mother anyone could have.
In addition to her beloved husband and granddaughter, Mary leaves her daughters: Sarah Elizabeth Jones and partner Gregory Sutton of Oakland, CA, and Leah Caroline Jones and husband Kwadwo Kwaa of Beverly. She is survived by dear siblings: Leo J. Maestranzi and wife Joanne of Wenham, Rita Cavoli and husband Ivo of VA, Richard Maestranzi and wife Maureen of Wenham and Anne Cottle and husband Robert of Beverly. She leaves a brother-in-law Charles Jones and partner Claudia of Beverly and many loving extended family members and in-laws.
Mary’s Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly. An open house celebration of her life will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 pm at the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club, 134 McKay Street, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Beyond Stage 4, 15 Goodell St., Salem, MA 01970. www.Beyondstage4.org.