Mary Jo McCaffery
May 29, 1945 – September 5, 2024
Mary Jo “Mim” McCaffery passed away peacefully in her home on September 5th after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She had loving family and friends by her side for weeks leading up and at the time of her passing. Up until the very end, Mim maintained her spirit and sense of humor. She was a beacon of strength, facing every challenge with grace and resilience. Whether it was obtaining her college degree at age 52, learning to communicate without a voice after a laryngectomy, or defying all medical odds with her positive attitude and perseverance, she was inspiration to many.
Mim loved to read, collect cookbooks, do puzzles and host holidays. She loved a full house and all the chaos that comes with it. Christmas at her house was filled with love, warmth and the largest pile of wrapped gifts anyone has ever seen. Each year she surprised her family with new silly ideas and activities, and everyone looked forward to the laughs.
She was raised in Maryland but spent most of her adult life in the same home in Tewksbury, MA where she raised her family. She worked for over 40 years as the VP of Nationwide Ladder alongside her partner Dave. When they weren’t working, they enjoyed polka music, fantasy football, weekends at their cottage in Maine and travelling. They both had a particular interest in Mayan ruins and traveled to Mexico many times. His family became her own and she loved them all.
Mim lived a life filled with love, strength, and unwavering dedication to her family and friends. While she had 3 kids and 5 grandkids of her own, the list of those who considered her “like a mom” or “like a grandmother” is extensive. She had a special relationship with every person in her life and made them feel like they were her top priority. She helped anyone who needed it quietly and without judgement.
Her friendships were deep, meaningful and spanned decades. She enjoyed going out to breakfast, shopping yard sales, sharing holidays and raising children together with her friends. Later in life when she could not speak or eat solid foods, they found new ways to have fun and stay just as connected. To know Mim is to love her, and her friends loved her very much.
Grammy Mim’s greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She attended sports games, recitals, first days of schools and anything else she was invited to, pushing aside whatever might conflict with them. She displayed stickers for every grandchild on her vehicle and wore school swag with great pride. They all felt as if they were her favorite and she had special connections with each of them.
Mim’s legacy will live on through the countless memories she created with her family, extended family and friends. Her spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Daughter of the late Walter and Mary Sikorski, Mary Jo is survived by her sister: Darlene: her partner of 42 years: David Lyon of Windham, NH: her three children and their families: Tim McCaffery of Lenox, MA, and his sons Ian and Sam:
Patrick McCaffery of Metuchen, NJ, and his wife Alison: and Robin Sullivan of Pelham, NH, her husband Erin and three children Delia, Colleen and Kyle.
Calling hours are Wednesday, September 11th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. Her funeral procession will begin on Thursday, September 12th, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Route 38, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Lowell Salvation Army, www.easternusa.salvationarmy.org, 150 Appleton Street, Lowell, MA 01853 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105