Mary Elizabeth Chimi of Sandwich passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 9, 2024 at the age of 74. Mary had numerous health issues that she bravely fought for more than a decade. Her family realized early on that if there was a glimmer of hope while she was ill, she fought for them. Mary’s selfless nature which she displayed to the very end is something we could all learn from.
Mary was the eldest daughter of the late Elizabeth L. (Mayo) Figueiredo of East Weymouth and Joseph A. Chimi of Medford. She is survived by her children, Kevin Sherman Jr. and his partner Stacey Eaton of Norfolk, Anthony Sherman and his wife Karen of Fremont, NH, Patrick Sherman and his wife Jessica of Malden and Katherine DiMascolo and her partner Matthew Weider of East Sandwich. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Kiera, Kayla, Alysha, Kiley, Evangeline, Kinsley, Sasha, Brinley, Harrison, Ryland, Maximilian, Macy and Charlotte. She was the eldest sister to Carl Chimi and his wife Ginny of Benton, PA., Jeanine Chimi of Saugus and Joseph Chimi and his wife Tammy of Westfield. She was a beloved auntie, cousin and friend to many. Mary was predeceased by her infant son Gregory Sherman and her brother Michael Chimi.
Mary grew up in Malden MA and graduated in 1968 from Malden High School. She spent her early years in banking and brought up her children in Melrose, where she spent many years running a daycare. Along with being a full-time mom, she created lifelong relationships with the children she cared for and their families. When her children were grown, she returned to the work force and spent over a decade working for Delta Dental, before illness forced her early retirement.
A hereditary liver disease left Mary very ill and in need of a new liver. She was initially told she was not eligible for a transplant. Not ready to give up, she found UMass Memorial and was accepted into their Transplant Program. In 2015, Mary’s daughter Kate was accepted as a donor and Mary received a loving and generous liver transplant from Kate. Within a year, Mary was in need of another transplant. She was given the gift of life by a family who lost their beloved daughter much too soon. It was a gift that she did not take for granted. Struggling with the effects of transplant medicine on her body, Mary endured many hospitalizations and close calls. Her family often joked she had more lives than a cat!
Being a two-time liver transplant recipient along with a host of other medical complications, Mary’s true colors were revealed. She was street dog tough and would not give up. She battled through impossible odds more times than can be counted, and yet, stayed positive through it all. Probably her best life lesson that she left for her children and grandchildren was to never give up ….no matter what the odds. Mary fought until there was nothing more that could be done and she accepted this with grace and peace in her heart. She bravely chose hospice and planned her final days surrounded by those she loved most. Always a Frank Sinatra fan, she did it her way.
Mary had many hobbies including playing Rummikub, her book club, watching the Game Show Network and volunteering. She spent many years on the board of Helping Our Troops and spreading awareness for organ donation through New England Donor Services. Nothing brought her greater joy than her family and being a Nonni. She especially loved cooking for a crowd. Her “sauce” was legendary…. a recipe handed down from her mother and enjoyed by many.
If you knew Mary, then you knew she was very funny, smart, positive, generous and always ready to help. She was a special shining star in the Universe – loved by all.
Mary’s wishes were to bypass tradition and have a Celebration of Life. This event is being planned and the family will be posting details on social media. If you are not on social media, we ask that you reach out to one of her children for details.
In lieu of flowers, Mary’s Family requests that you consider a donation be made in her honor at New England Donor Services at 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA. 02451 or for online donations: (https://neds.org/give)
You can also make donations in her memory to UMass Memorial Health in support of the Transplant Center online at donate.umassmemorial.org (donate.umassmemorial.org) or mailed to Office of Philanthropy, UMass Memorial Health, 365 Plantation St, Biotech One, Worcester, MA 01605.