Mary Ellen (Hayes) Molander, 79, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her dog at her side on Monday, September 19, 2022. She was the widow of the late Albert Molander who passed away in May of 2010 after 47 years of marriage together.
Born December 29th, 1942 in Brighton, Mary Ellen was raised and educated in the Brighton and Medford areas before graduating from Medford High School. In addition to holding various jobs locally during her lifetime, she took great pride in raising her family over the years.
Mary Ellen was a devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Grandma could always be counted on for her purse peppermints, tissues in her sleeve, an endless supply of freeze pops, her frequent trips to the to Christmas Tree Shops, and gifts of sweatshirts with “your name” adorned in glitter and puff paint. In addition to her love of bingo, Mary Ellen was a longtime player in a Sunday night candlepin bowling league at the Woburn Bowladrome. She also loved Papa Ginos pizza, arts and crafts, and the Dollar Store, but above all, was an animal lover. Over the years Mary Ellen had countless pets and truly loved all creatures great and small. In the winter, she made sure the birds had plenty of seeds to eat and the squirrels had bread and cereal to munch on.
Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Scott Molander and his wife, Kelly, of Tewksbury, Kerri Gould and her husband, Rick, of Plant City, Florida and Richard “Rick” Molander and his wife, Cinthya, of Tewksbury, her 8 grandchildren, Ricky Molander, Kasey Swenson and her husband, Jeffrey, Melissa Molander, Wesley Gould, Sarah Molander, Spencer and Nathan Gould, Jonathan Molander and her great granddaughter, Ariana Swenson. Her siblings, Nancy Bowers of Woburn, Robert Hayes and his wife, Helen, of Wilmington and Deborah Leone and her husband, Guy, of Medford.
Additionally, Mary Ellen leaves behind her beloved dog and best friend Delilah.
Mary Ellen was also the mother of the late Albert "Alby" Molander, Jr., sister of the late Leo Hayes, Jr, and the late Ginny Hayes.
She was also predeceased by several of her beloved dogs: Penny, Honey, Boo Boo, Roxy, Rocky, Ug and Motley just to name a few.
You are invited to her visitation from 5 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at the TEWKSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 1 DEWEY STREET, TEWKSBURY 978-851-2061 (our main parking area is currently under construction, on street parking is available on Dewey Street) A service will be held at 8 p.m. in the funeral home following the visitation. Burial will take place privately at a later date.
Those who wish may make a memorial donation in Mary Ellen's name to The MSPCA, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 or online MSPCA Donate Link at any time.
Please find us on Facebook or use this website to leave the family a message of condolence.