Marie Louise Walsh was born in Rochester, NH on June 5, 1928 to Martin Edward Harrity and Yvonne Lydia Therrien. She joined her beloved husband John in heaven on October 11, 2013 with both daughters at her side after a brief illness at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry NH. She lived and was raised in Somersworth NH. Mary graduated from Keene State Teachers College where she met the love of her life John. She began her 40 year teaching career in Belmont NH. Mary then moved and taught at Alvirne High School in Hudson NH and finished her career after teaching for 32 years at Hood Jr High School in Derry NH.
During her retirement Mary enjoyed summers at Moody Beach in Wells Me. She adored cruises especially the Hawaiian cruises. Mary spent her winters in California and Florida and loved Key West. Mary was a gifted painter and some of her works are proudly displayed in her daughters homes. She loved her gardens in Maine, listening to the sounds of the ocean and breathing the fresh sea air. And once the grandchildren appeared everything else took a back seat. Every holiday was magical and spectacular at Nana's. Whenever they could John and Mary watched their grandchildren's ball games even the practices. Mary continued to take control of her health challenges by setting personal goals and conquering them. Mary lived a full and independent life and showed great compassion, dignity and grace through her final months. Laughter was her best medicine and she had her quick wit right up to her last hours.
Mary is survived by her twin daughters Maureen Ann Walsh of Ashland NH and Susan Eileen Graveline with her husband Dale Robert Graveline of Harwich MA. She is survived by three grandsons Tyler Jonathan Graveline, Matthew Ryan Nassar and Shane Patrick Nassar. Mary is also survived by her great grandson Logan Tyler Graveline along with nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband of forty three years John Michael Walsh, beloved granddaughter Erin Leigh Graveline and brother Edward Martin Harrity. Thank you to the army of silent angels that enabled Mary to live independently for as long as she could. They include but are not limited to the mailman, the newspaper delivery person, the trash collector and neighbors who shoveled walkways and disappeared and finally a dear friend Carla who cared for Mary as if she were her own mother. The family wishes to thank the staffs at Pleasant Valley and Compassionate Care Hospice for the kind, gentle,and loving care given to Mary during her illness. Her wish for us would be to hug a friend, mentor a child, or run an errand for a senior and remember to live your life to its fullest.
Calling hours was held at the Peabody Funeral Home Birch St., Derry on Thursday October 17, 2013 from 4-7pm. A Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday at 10:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. Burial to follow at St Joseph's Cemetery, Bedford, NH. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the John and Mary Walsh scholarship fund at Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry NH.