Mary Catherine (McDonnell) Piazza, 91, passed away on Saturday, October 19 at Ocala Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ocala, Florida after a short illness.
Mary was born on August 26, 1922 in Cambridge, MA, the daughter of Patrick J. and Helen (Bessette) McDonnell. She grew up in Atkinson, NH, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant. In June of 1950 she married Augustine N. (“Gus”) Piazza in Salem, NH. They lived in Andover for many years and attended St. Augustine Church. They relocated to Ocala, Florida when they both retired from Alcatel Lucent (Western Electric) about 1985. They enjoyed spending summers at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. Mary and Gus were together for 59 years until his death in 2009.
Mary was a member of the American Legion and the Humane Society. She enjoyed raising and showing Boston Terrier dogs with Gus, singing in the church choir, playing cards, arts and crafts, and knitting.
She enjoyed spending time with her close friends Rita Rousseau-Sciortino and Theresa Bessette of Connecticut and Florida, and Donna and Fred Rucker of Ocala, FL.
Mary is survived by her brother-in-law Adam P. Piazza of Haverhill, MA and sister-in-law Eve V. (Piazza) Ashline of Schenectady, NY, nieces Deborah Croteau Lawson, Linda Ashline Audi, Cindy Ashline, and Donna Marie Piazza Therrien, nephews Raymond Croteau, Glenn Spatola, Andrew Piazza, Brian Spatola, David Ashline, William Piazza, Gary Piazza, and Allan Piazza, and God-daughter Lauren Rousseau.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, October 30th at 10:00AM in St Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex St Andover, MA. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery in Andover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Massachusetts Humane Society, www.masshumane.org, 87 Wharf Street East Weymouth, MA 02189, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Pollard Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.