Mary Ellen (Riley) Hobbs, our beloved “Mimi/Miss Mary/Middy” was born on September 4, 1952, in Brockton, MA and died unexpectedly on October 30, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones. Mary’s extraordinary ways of compassion, empathy and selflessness made her the cornerstone of her family and a pillar of strength in the communities of families she supported around the South Shore throughout her lifetime. Always with a kind word for those she knew, she invited the many who crossed her path to lean upon her for strength and support, albeit within her family, her classroom or the greater communities in which she frequently volunteered. A role model for how to bestow unconditional love and generosity, Mary’s life leaves an indelible and forever mark on the souls shed touched in her short seventy-two (72) years on this earth.
Mary was the proud daughter of the late William Brant Riley and Mary Winifred (Packard) Riley. Born and raised in Brockton, Mary spoke often of the precious childhood memories she shared with her family and friends. Born an only child, from a young age, Mary often spent time with her Packard cousins - the late Mary Margaret (“Mag”) Turkel, the late Kathleen Atwood, Judy Hazlett, and Barbara (“Barbie”) McLacklan at their family home in Norfolk, MA. All her life, Mary cherished a sister-like relationship with Barbie, and a love that poured over to Barbie’s husband, Gary McLacklan, and their children, Elizabeth (“Beth”) McLacklan and Melissa (“Lissa”) McLacklan. Mary also deeply loved and enjoyed spending time with numerous other cousins and their extended families.
Mary was a 1970 graduate of Brockton High School and received her bachelor's degree in English from Framingham State University in 1974. She worked at the Brockton & Taunton Gas Company and later at the Brockton City Hall where her friend and future sister-in-law, the late Patricia (Charlebois) Hobbs (married to the late David K. Hobbs), introduced her to her husband, Stephen (“Steve”) F. Hobbs.
Mary and Steve married in 1974 and later welcomed their first child, Catherine Mary Watson (“Cat”). Shortly thereafter, they moved from Brockton to East Bridgewater, and later expanded their family with two more children - William Stephen Hobbs (“Billy”) and Marguerite Frances Hobbs (“Meggie”). Later, they were fortunate to add another son to their family, Scott Edward Allen, and shortly thereafter, moved to their “forever home” in West Bridgewater, where Mary’s mother, then affectionally known as “Gingie” by her grandchildren and all their friends, enjoyed the rest of her days.
After providing for her children as a “stay at home mom” for a number of years, and volunteering extensively for the American Cancer Society, Mary went back to work as a Pre-School teacher at Busy Bee Preschool in Whitman, and later in East Bridgewater. She taught there for over twenty-five (25) years and affectionately became known by her students, parents and colleagues as “Miss Mary.” Mary never thought of her time at Busy Bee as a job, but rather as a privilege to be a part of a child’s life and a family’s journey. In fact, it is hard to say that Miss Mary’s “job” was as a teacher, because it was undoubtedly her calling – truly loving her students, embracing their families and making her colleagues her “Busy Bee Family.” Miss Mary felt the blessing was hers to be part of so many people’s lives at Busy Bee, and devoted much of her life to ensuring that each child and adult there knew they held a special place in Miss Mary’s heart.
Above all, Mary loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her extended family, including her sons-in-law, Noel Watson and Roberto (“Robbie”) Gonzalez, her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Allen, and future daughter-in-law, Laurie Mann. Over the years, Mary opened her heart and her home to countless friends of her children, many of whom considered Mary their second mother. Mary was also an avid animal lover and will be dearly missed by her Irish Setter, Red.
Of immeasurable pride to Mary, she was also the beloved “Mimi” to her seven grandchildren - Brant Hobbs, Daniel Allen, Emily Allen, Alanna Hobbs, Brady Hobbs, Teddy Watson, and Nicky Watson. She enjoyed spending time with them on golf cart rides around “the Compound,” having pool days, beach days down the cape, trampoline park visits, sleepovers, and playing cards.
Throughout her life, Mary was a devout Catholic. She emulated the Catholic teachings by dedicating her life to volunteerism and service. For decades, she taught CCD at St. John’s in East Bridgewater, St. Ann’s in West Bridgewater, and most recently, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater. She volunteered with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, the Food Bank (of Boston), West Bridgewater Friends of the Library and the Pen Pal Program with the West Bridgewater Council on Aging. Most recently, she devoted more of her time to various committees and outreach programs at St. Thomas Aquinas, and was a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Women’s Club.
In addition to her husband, Steve, Mary is survived by her children and their families; her sisters-in-law Ellen Fryer, Barbara Morse and Kathy Balint and their families; her aunt, Patricia S. Brown; and numerous cousins.
Mary’s family invites you to celebrate the life Mary loved and lived so fully, during visiting hours to be held at the Conley Funeral Home, located at 138 Belmont Street (Route 123) Brockton, on Thursday, November 7th from 3 pm – 7 pm. The funeral procession will gather at Conley Funeral Home on Friday, November 8th at 9 am, for a 10 am Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Bridgewater. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater.
Donations in Mary’s name may be made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of East Bridgewater
(https://www.foodpantries.org/li/st-john-food-pantry-st-vincent-de-paul-society) or the Tufts Medical Center – Neurocritical Care Program (https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/giving/give-tufts-medical-center#).