Mary Agnes (Flaherty) Slattery, 90, of Tewksbury, passed away Monday, May 10, 2021, at Heatherwood Retirement Living Center. She was the beloved widow of the late James M. Slattery, who died in 2013.
Mary was the eldest of six children of Patrick Flaherty of County Galway and Bridget (Gallagher) Flaherty of County Sligo. She was born on September 17, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised and educated in Lowell, she graduated from Sacred Heart School and Keith Hall. For most of her life, she lived in the Grove neighborhood and was an active, lifelong Sacred Heart parishioner. Later in life, Mary resided in Belvidere before moving to Chelmsford, and most recently, Tewksbury.
After raising her five children, Mary returned to work first at the Lahey Eye Clinic and then spent many happy years as an administrative assistant at Massachusetts Eye Associates until retirement. She was remembered for her quick wit, exceptional care for patients and fearless ribbing of the very capable ophthalmologists.
When Mary’s children were young, her joys included summer vacations at Hampton and Seabrook beaches. She was a legitimate speed reader, a fabulous cook, and a killer Scrabble player – her trusty Scrabble dictionary resting next to her even at the end. Mary appreciated good music, though her own singing left much to be desired. Her fondness for warmer climates and travel matured with age; she eagerly set off on visits and cruises to Florida, Mexico, South Padre Island, Paris and the Caribbean. She was a proud survivor of three weeks in Ireland with husband and 4 kids in tow. That adventure initiated new relationships with her extended Irish family, and return trips to Ireland were truly her greatest travel love.
Mary also bestowed much love upon her children and grandchildren. Her survivors include three sons, Michael P. Slattery of Littleton, James M. Slattery and his wife, Lisa F. of Chelmsford, and Shawn J. Slattery and his wife, Lisa M. of Andover; her eight grandchildren, Katherine Machold, Bridget Machold, Declan Machold all of Andover, Seamus, Padraig, and Maeve Slattery all of Chelmsford, and Brendan Slattery and Michael Slattery of Andover; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary was the loving mother of the late Jane A. Slattery and the late Maura E. Slattery-Machold. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Ellen Flaherty, Bernard Flaherty, John Flaherty, Patricia McNerney, and William Flaherty.
While practicing social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, you are invited to her calling hours from 8:30 until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17, at the MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816.
Her Funeral Mass will be offered at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell at 11:00 a.m. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
Memorials in her name to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence MA 01843.