Mary Gaffney,94 Well Known Tewksbury Resident
Mary Reardon Gaffney, 94, well known Tewksbury resident gracefully passed away at home on Monday, July 15th. During her final illness, she was in the constant company of her beloved children and grandchildren, She was married to the late James J, Gaffney Jr. a highly decorated World War II veteran who served as Chairman of the State Industrial Accident Board, Chief Secretary to Governor John Volpe and served on the Tewksbury School Committee and as the town Moderator. Born in Malden, Massachusetts to Charles S Reardon and Isabel Agnes McShane, she attended Malden Catholic High School and was graduated from Radcliffe College. She was preceded in death by her brothers Jim and Charlie Reardon and her sister Catherine Steele. Moving to Tewksbury after World War II, Mary and Jim began raising their family and contributing to the life of Tewksbury and Greater Lowell. Mrs. Gaffney had worked in a First National Bank of Boston after college. She rejoined the workforce in the seventies, serving as a curator of the North Andover Historical Society. She later began work at the Tewksbury Public Library where she was very popular with staff and patrons. During that time, she furthered her education at Salem State College. She continued working for the town into her eighties. After her retirement she continued to enjoy her association with people who served the town, especially the Library “Alumnae” lunches. Mrs. Gaffney worked on a number of charity events and fund drives. The college honors history major had a life long love of New England and Tewksbury history. She was a member of the Tewksbury Historic Society, Historic New England and especially enjoyed welcoming family and friends to the eighteenth century Rev Sampson Spaulding Homestead where the Gaffneys made their home. She loved dining out, reading, travelling, and gathering with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was often the life of the party. She is survived by her Children Jay Gaffney and his wife Mary of Lowell, Anne Moriarty, widow of Thomas Moriarty, of Sudbury, Mary Elisabeth (Libby) Gaffney of Tewksbury, Charles Gaffney of Andover, Martha Gaffney Rodriques and her husband Peter of North Andover and the Honorable Kevin Gaffney and his wife Catherine of Andover. She leaves behind a large clan of Grandchildren, Step Grandchildren and their children: Thomas Moriarty and children Lena, Jade and Elizabeth, Amy Rodriguez and her son Luke. Caroline Gaffney, Connor Gaffney, Christopher Menne, 1st Lieutenant James Gaffney, currently deployed to Afghanistan, John P Gaffney, Elizabeth Gaffney, Kevin J. Callery, Shauna Forcier, and children Chloe, Caitlin, Brooklyn and John. She also leaves behind many nephews and nieces.
Calling hours will be Thursday, July 18, from 4-8 p.m. in the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral will be held Friday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. William's Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery.