Mary D. (Waters) Jacobs, 99, of Brunswick, ME, and formerly of Winchester, MA, beloved wife of Richard J. Spettel, died peacefully on March 16. Mary lived in Winchester for more than 60 years raising her children, establishing an art career, and being involved in her church and town affairs.
Mary was a graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, MA, and attended the Vesper George and Scott Carbee Schools of Art in Boston MA. She was a well-known portrait artist in Winchester and throughout New England. Her art medium was pastels. During her art career she won numerous awards including the prestigious Richard Mitton Memorial Award.
Throughout her life, Mary was a member of numerous art associations, such as the Copley Art Society of Boston, the Winchester Art Association, and the Woburn Art Association to name a few. During her career, her gallery of portraits included bank presidents, college presidents, CEOs, and 3 former NHL players, as well as many portraits of her family done over the years. Mary continued with her art well into her nineties. She took much pleasure in drawing and was often quoted as saying that she never was “bored” because of her art.
While living in Winchester, she was employed by the Winchester School Department as a receptionist for 10 years. She also was a volunteer at the Winchester Hospital. She conducted numerous art workshops through the Winchester Adult Education Program. She was a Sunday School teacher at St. Marys Church in Winchester and was involved with other Church activities.
Mary enjoyed cooking all types of foods and making up her own recipes. She also loved to play the piano and listen to her favorite music. Her most favorite thing to do, however, was to be surrounded by her family, sharing a meal, and laughing.
Mary was pre-deceased by her beloved late husband of 51 years, Ralph L. Jacobs, her parents, James J. Waters and Mary (Stone) Waters, and Step-mother, Hazel (Bowdren) Waters, and her sister, Barbara (Waters) Morrison. She was the devoted mother to Peg (Jacobs) Bloy and husband, Michael, Ralph S. and his wife, Jeannie, Richard J. and his wife, Jody, Marianne (Jacobs) Garman and her husband, Stephen, and Barbara (Jacobs) Berg. Mary is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester on Monday, May 8 from 8:30 - 10:30AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Medical Missionaries of Mary https://mmmworldwide.org.