Mary Roswell Leavitt of Natick died peacefully Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Metro West Medical Center in Natick surrounded by her loving family.
A true Natickite her whole life she was born in Natick July 7,1934 the daughter of the late Sgt. Howard F. Sr. and Ruth J. (Hannon) Leavitt.
Mary is survived by her brother Bradford C Leavitt of Natick, nieces Kathleen (Leavitt) Morris and her husband Robert of Natick, and their children, Julie Hilling, Sarah Morris, Mark Leavitt and his wife Kimberly of Medway, Jane Bache and her husband Daniel of Wayland and their children Daniel Bache Jr, Emily Bache, Joan-Leavitt Brooks of Natick and Heidi Leavitt of GA.
She was the sister of the late Gilda Bezanson and her husband John, Howard F. Leavitt Jr, John J Leavitt and his wife Anna.
Mary attended the Natick School system graduating from Natick High School class of 1952 where she excelled in many sports, including field hockey, bowling, basketball and softball. She was elected President of the Girls Athletic League at N.H.S. Mary and star athlete Ronnie Ellis appeared live on the “Bump Hadley” WBZ TV show in Boston. In 1952 she was awarded a four year AMVETS Scholarship to Simmons College and graduated in 1956.During her summer months Mary worked as a Leader in the Natick Summer Playgrounds Program and also taught tennis at Natick High School.
She was hired as a Science -Biology teacher at Natick High School and proved to be an excellent teacher and coach for over 30 years. Mary was inducted to the Natick Wall of Achievement in 2000 and The Natick Hall of Fame in 2011.
She was also Trainer for Natick High Varsity Sports with her brother Brad; serving together they were the only brother and sister team trainers in the State.
Miss Leavitt was elected the first woman of the Natick Leonard Morse Hospital Board of Trustees. She served during the building of the new hospital and was elected as the first woman President of the Board of Trustees; she was also a Natick Town Meeting member for 21 years.
She was involved in many other charities after her retirement from teaching in 1992. She was also elected” Woman of the Year” by the Framingham B.P.W. Club in 1976.
Mary was a lifelong patron of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. She loved sports both pro and high school.
Mary will be missed by all who knew her, “Rest in Peace”
Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 12th at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common.
Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.
Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.